Subject: Dick Harrington's long experience with boom tents
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 10:56 PM
Subject: Boom Tent

Tom,

Regarding your boom tent search, I could never to afford to take the custom design/build approach that you are taking.  I have a lot of confidence in Hans Gottschling and he is very reasonable in price.  You really should give him a shot at it.  He doesn't need your boat dimensions--he's already got them.  Just give him a sketch of how you want the tent to look like.  His workmanship is superb and he has the experience to know what will work and what won't.  The materials you
mention I'm unfamiliar with.  I don't know how many different materials Hans works with, but for the my tent he suggested what he terms an acrylic (four colors available), or the cotton canvas which I have presently.  The acrylic has a nice hefty feel to it.  Hans says that it won't rot or shrink.  However, after several years it will need re-waterproofing.  Silicone waterproofing suggested.  Hans' standard prices are $475 (Canadian) for the canvas and $535 CA for the acrylic, plus $25 for shipping (maybe slightly more for Boston), plus an added $25 for the extra zipper on the side, like I have now.  Current exchange rate is $1 CA = $0.76 US.

Attached is my sketch of what we're doing regarding Blue Mist.

Have fun----DICK
update from Dick
On Tue, 13 Sep 2005  Barry Antel <kbsailing@mac.com> writes:

Hi Dick,

We just spoke on the phone, and you said to send you and e-mail.  I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I am glad to have the opportunity to draw upon your (and Hans's) experience so that I can get a properly functioning, watertight tent without too much experimentation.

Thanks,

Barry Antel  Wayfarer #7671

Al's note: For more inormation on Hans Gottschling's boat covers and boom tents, call him in Toronto, ON at 905-277-3306 or click here.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 11:04 PM
Subject: Wayfarer Boom Tent

Barry,
 
... Regarding boom tent details:  I've attached several photos.  The first two you've probably seen on Uncle Al's web site.  The rest you haven't.  The pictures for the most part speak for themselves.  At the moment I don't have the measurement regarding the height of the boom, but the arms of the boom crutch are 37" LOA. You have, as do I, an Abbott mast, which differs from the Proctor mast.  I fabricated the false goose neck out of some 1/8" aluminum I had lying around.  It slips into the fish mouth in the sail groove just above the existing fixed gooseneck.  If you haven't already done it, I suggest that you cut away some of the aluminum on the mast at the sail groove where the fish mouth is formed.  This makes it much easier to feed the sail as well as the false gooseneck.  The false gooseneck is held up by the mainsail halyard.
 
I'm sure you'll have more questions.  Looking forward to hearing them.
 
Best wishes....DICK

Boom tent rigged


Boom tent entry


Boom on crutch and false gooseneck


Boom crutch in position


False gooseneck held in place by main halyard


False gooseneck: side view


False gooseneck inserted into boom
On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 Barry Antel <kbsailing@mac.com> writes:

Dick,

Thank you very much for sending those pictures.  I particularly like the simple solution to the sliding gooseneck problem. I think that you mentioned that your cover was now 13 years old. Have the dome fasteners proven to be satisfactory in the long run?  Are there any points where I should ask Hans to add extra reinforcement? I have had experience with fasteners pulling through 4 layers of Sunbrella and needing regular re-installation, which is why I ask.

Thanks also for putting me in contact with Tom Graefe.  He has already sent me a note, and will be sending some pictures also.

Best,

Barry


----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:43 PM

Barry,
 
The boom tent in the photos I sent you is the new one and it is only 1-1/2 years old.  It is of the acrylic material.  My previous tent was cotton canvas and it lasted 10 years, though I re-waterproofed it several times over that period of time.  Yes, I've had the dome button snaps on both tents.  It would be nice to find something better but I haven't seen anything so far.  I don't know what Tom Graefe used on his.  The push button snaps got to be a problem with the canvas tent because of shrinkage of the fabric.  It would take a lot of tugging to make up the snaps, which isn't any fun when anchored out and having to do a tight rope walk around the gunn'l in the dark night.  I never fell over board--just lucky though.  You're right about the acrylic, it is weaker and prone to tearing.  I found that out when trying to make the new tent mate up to the old male receptors on the boat from the first tent.  If you pull too hard it's going to rip.  Unintentionally Hans doubled up several layers of cloth for me on the side snaps of the new tent because he installed the snaps on inside pockets that let me reach my fingers under the fabric from the inside.  Sometimes I use this feature and at other times I don't, but the extra thickness is good to have.  What I've learned to do is set the tent up rather loosely, then once the snaps are made up I raise the boom to its full height.  As you know, my practice when cruising is to initially set the boom tent up over just the forward portion of the cockpit, forming a cuddy cabin.  I close things up later when meal time is over, etc.
 
DICK
for more ideas given to Barry, click here