Camp Covers for Boat
Hi,
After just cancelling another trip to the Abrolhos due to weather, I need to feel better about myself by buying something. Seriously thinking about installing camp covers to the boat for Rotto, Abrolhos and eventually Monties.
Anyone got any recommendations on design and things that I should incorporate or not bother with. Have searched and found a few guys for the trimming side of things that are recommended, and have gone to them for quotes already, including mesh sections as shown to let some air through.
Anyone got any thoughts on someone who could do the ali barwork? Rough design below, and not sure on the colour yet but will either be grey or blue (boat is largely unpainted ali).
Also, do you think it would be worth making it removable? I already have a small bimini that slides inside some oversized tube and is bolted through, was thinking of using that as a base and having the rear vertical pieces held by bolts top and bottom to allow them to be removed, and the top to slide out if required. I am estimating about 20kg of ali in the roof section so whould be managable.
clayd
Posts: 128
Date Joined: 07/12/15
Camper covers are a great
Camper covers are a great investment. Things that (for me) work, don't work, or i would change:
- Colour - I have navy blue. It gets hots real fast. In summer, there's some serious heat being generated by 6:30am. I would seriously consider white next time, but not sure what affect that would have on the ability to blockout light.
- Roll-up panels - I can roll-up the sides and back. Feels safer when travelling, allows breeze through and better access around boat. The back has 2 sections, 1 smaller one where the transom access is, and then the other section allows the back to totally open up.
- Mesh panels - i really wish i had these. On more than a few occasions we've been harrassed by insects. To be able to close up but still have air flow would have been a godsend. If i had mesh, i'd have them as the second layer. ie. unzip and roll-up solid panel to leave mesh, or roll up mesh as well.
- Removable - I like being able to remove the structure. I've just got the simple pole system where you just screw in when time comes. Takes me about 10mins to setup and take down. Means there's nothing in the way when i just want to go fishing. This system is suprising sturdy once everything is in place and tightened.
I love having the camper covers. Opens up boating to more than just day use, and really get to enjoy spending a night or two away in some degree of comfort.
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
Thanks, that's the sort of
Thanks, that's the sort of stuff I am after (as well as any recommendations on who can do the work).
I was leaning towards blue as it suits the boat from a looks perspective, but hadn't considered the heat. I suppose I could even go white.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Clayd is spot on about
Clayd is spot on about colour, we had a charcoal coloured bimini top and it turned the flybridge into a hot house, when it needed replacing we changed it to a light grey and it is incredible the difference. White will end up looking light grey after a year anyway :-)
z00m
Posts: 1086
Date Joined: 10/05/14
ideas
When I build my next hard top I'll add mounts for something like this that can be removed or added as need be.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hard-Roof-Tent-Camping-4x4-Camper-Top-Roof-Rack-Pop-Car/231672529209
I'll mount it sideways as the boat is wide enough and then I can climb up the ladder to sleep and still keep the deck area clear of swags etc.
Comrad
Posts: 109
Date Joined: 17/07/14
That does seem really cool,
That does seem really cool, though depending on whether you were sheltered in an estuary/river, or the open ocean, you might want to have a more solid side wall on the structure. You wouldn't want to roll around in the night due to some swell, end up rolling against fabric sides, and the structure giving way...
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
you would also want to be as
you would also want to be as low as possible so you dont roll as much, but everything is a compromise and the space saving would be great.
Yewiefish85
Posts: 792
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Just be careful with the
Just be careful with the centre of gravity, I was working up at lake argyle when one of the pro cobbler fisherman flipped his boat, 3 guys sleeping on the roof, winds came up and over she went, lucky they all survived, took 4-5 days for them to be found
clayd
Posts: 128
Date Joined: 07/12/15
Yeah, the white would be
Yeah, the white would be interesting. My boat is navy blue, so everything matches colour wise, but when it's 6am and you're standing within a foot of the campers, you can feel the heat radiating, it's just not fun. By 6:30, all the sides are up, even though it means letting the colder eastery through.
I've not seen the campers in white. Obviously the downside is that they'd show the dirt easy. A light grey may be a good compromise.
Forgot to mention, I also have a clear but tinted panel in the back. Lets in some light, plus also provides some vision if we're putting around to the next bay.
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
just had a look on google
just had a look on google earth at some oat storage places and there a fair few with white or grey covers. don't think it will be an issue.
thanks for comments, keep em coming.
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
Looks good.But if you want
Looks good.
But if you want to make one one the cheap for the ocasional use , concider using PVC water pipe and fittings for the frame. 40mm or whatever you deem a suitable size. Then throw over a poly tarp from bunnings and attatch it to the gunnels or side rails. Leave some fittings unglued so the the frame can be dismantled and stowed.
Drop in mounts for the uprights can be vertical rod holders.