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On the 12th August I made a lightweight canoe tent for beach cruising. The sail formed the starboard side and a shaped groundsheet the port side. The upper edge of the groundsheet was kept in place along the raised yard by using a length of cord through eyelets attached to reefing cringles. Guys and pegs along the lower edge were used to keep it taught. The upper batten and yard were held together with reefing bungees. Likewise the boom and lower batten were held together with their respective bungees. Thus the middle panel of the sail formed the starboard side of the tent. It was held in place with the mainsheet and a tent peg. The uppermost end of the yard was supported by the paddles in two parts lashed together forming a crutch which fitted neatly within the after end of the cockpit.
My 6' 2" self-inflating mattress fits snugly on the cockpit floor and the integral sailing seat makes an excellent pillow! There is ample room to spread out while sleeping. My 'Gaz' stove for making hot drinks and heating pre-packed meals can easily be reached outside on the starboard side where there is a measure of protection from the elements.
The finished tent has a door flap which protects the entrance above the aft deck. This flap can be secured by two guys in such a way that it can be half-opened or fully closed and yet allow ample circulation of air. A pyramidal mosquito net neatly fitted with a bungee around the coaming would be helpful in places where midges and flying insects might be a problem.
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