Cold Weather Sailing

The place to discuss SCAMP (Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project), our 11' 11" micro minicruiser.

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Brent65
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Cold Weather Sailing

Post by Brent65 »

Scamp sailors,

Has anyone tried anything like this on their Scamp? I want to create a type of cold weather hypothermia survival sock. I'm envisioning sewing a wool blanket to create a closed foot section, the rest of the blanket would simply drape around oneself. Then, dropping a fabric cover down from bulkhead #4, behind which you could sit out of the weather to get warm under the veranda.

Potential Advantages:
1-You could sit under the veranda and light a candle lantern to warm up or begin to cook a hot meal.
2-You would be seated along the centerline creating a level/stable boat.
3-Small area would heat up quickly.
4-Rain and wind protection for a tired sailor.

Potential Problems:
1-Possible entrapment.
2-Carbon monoxide issues with heat source/stove system.

See rough drawing. Sorry, I can't seem to attach this in a horizontal orientation.
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Brent Butikofer

Scamp: Hagoth
https://buildinghagoth.wordpress.com

Scamp: Shackleton
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Rob Hazard
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Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by Rob Hazard »

Brent,
I think just wrapping yourself in the blanket would work as well, once you're sheltered from the wind and rain.
Actually, the first thing I want once I'm out of the weather is a warm pad to sit on, like a square of 1" thick Minicell foam. It's amazing how sitting on a cold surface sucks the heat out of your body!

On the entrapment issue, a sleeping bag would be much worse, but we use them all the time!
pocketyacht
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Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by pocketyacht »

I often did my version of this as I sailed in S Chile. My low tent was designed for different configurations, one of which was as a lean to sort of partial enclosure off of the normal snap on position on nthe aft cabin top edge. I used two different fleece sleeves (relatively quick dry) as quick to get out of blankets around my lower body.
Brent65
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Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by Brent65 »

Ron & Howard,

Thanks for your replies. Is always good to hear what is working for others. Howard, I really like the idea of using one tent designed for two purposes. Might you have any photos of the low profile tent being used in this partial configuration?
Brent Butikofer

Scamp: Hagoth
https://buildinghagoth.wordpress.com

Scamp: Shackleton
https://buildingshackelton.wordpress.com

Pocketship:
https://idahopocketship.wordpress.com

Never Stop Learning or Exploring
pocketyacht
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Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by pocketyacht »

Brent
Hi
I do have photos and video but not with me (in Port Townsend at the moment). My tent design has evolved and the new final version will be out in about two weeks.

Simeon Baldwin will have the first one and he is excited about it. He and I were chatting at the Maritime Center two days ago and I explained the 11 different pitches or set ups the tent is capable of, one of which should be named #12 is it is a "quick I need shelter" lean to configuration and doubles as a take a break out of the sun shelter. The tent in any of it's set up configurations is also mosquito proof and vents well even in heat and rain. Simeon is great to collaborate with. He and I installed my tent before I shipped Southern Cross to Chile and I just helped him with a foot well retro fit and the all important cabin top finger rail**.

I explained the location of the padeyes for my hiking strap and how they also functioned as snap in points for the lean to set up and for a life line tether. I explained the venting system I am working up for the tent that will enable vented cooking while inside the tent, something I did daily in Chile. Venting is critcal to avoid condensation forming inside the tent and to exhaust cooking gases.

I will post photos as soon as I rig up Simeons tent before I ship it to him.

I have to mention Robs post............respectfully above all else I have found that on all small boats including SCAMP to keep everything as simple and multi functional (multi purposes for everything you can manage) as possible, this includes the tent.

I beleve in no bow, low profile, easy to set, instant to strike breathable single wall tents for small boats. I also believe extraneous gear on board including boarding ladders, bean bag chairs and piles of stuff to not be necessary. A simple re-entry sling does more duty than a boarding ladder ever could as it can also function in righting if needed. I have seen some complicated SCAMP's and other small boats and always wonder. Now this said one might ask "What, look at SCAMP #2." There is absolutley nothing extraneous on my boat. She may on first glance look complicated but in reality she isn't, she is set up to be reefed, anchored and managed from one cockpit position. Keep it simple.

Hope this helps a little.
Brent65 wrote:Ron & Howard,

Thanks for your replies. Is always good to hear what is working for others. Howard, I really like the idea of using one tent designed for two purposes. Might you have any photos of the low profile tent being used in this partial configuration?
Brent65
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:03 pm

Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by Brent65 »

Howard,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I look very much forward to learning more about the 12 pitch option tent. It sounds like a well designed multipurpose piece of kit.

Also, might you be able to provide more details and location measurements for your padeyes. I would like to install backer plates for these locations now if needed.
Brent Butikofer

Scamp: Hagoth
https://buildinghagoth.wordpress.com

Scamp: Shackleton
https://buildingshackelton.wordpress.com

Pocketship:
https://idahopocketship.wordpress.com

Never Stop Learning or Exploring
Rob Hazard
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Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by Rob Hazard »

Howard,
Hope you're doing well. I enjoy reading your insights.
I'm looking forward to seeing the details of your latest tent.
I've been hoping for a more-or-less definitive SCAMP tent design to get hammered out, something simple and quick to set up, without a lot of fussy bits to be fumbled with in the dark.
Once your design is finalized, is there any chance it could be produced for sale under the magazine's auspices?
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knasman
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Re: Cold Weather Sailing

Post by knasman »

I sewed an old wool blanket to a nylon tarp I had and I now call that my "boat blanket" and is on board all the time. Perfect to wrap yourself in. Many times I've wrapped my legs in it when an evening sail turned chilly.

The nylon tarp brushes off the spray and blocks the wind making the blanket quite warm.
Keith Nasman
SCAMP Zephyr #161
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