Rooftop tent on a c-dory?

clayhubler · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:23 pm Post subject: Rooftop tent on a c-dory?

https://roofnest.com/product/falcon/

I've been thinking of getting one of these for the top of our 22 cruiser because we really need to sleep 4 people. It's 140 lbs. What do you think? I'm most concerned with how the boat will handle.
Thanks!

thataway · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:38 pm Post subject:

There are other boats which have put that much weight up there. But it is not the weight of the tent--but what about with two people up there? Average person weight is 150 to 180#. so total weight could easily be 500#. Lets say a storm comes along....then you might be in trouble.

Sleep one on the table and one in the cockpit. Or Two in the cockpit. I grew up sleeping in the cockpit of a boat about the size of a C Dory. (My folks got the bunks).

4 adults is a lot. But "Retriever" has cruised with 5 "adults" aboard, plus a Golden... (OK two of them usually slept on shore in a tent.).

clayhubler · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:53 pm Post subject:

I would probably be the only one up top, and only while anchored or moored. Do you think we will see much difference in the handling while the tent is in the stowed position?
Thanks

ssobol · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:42 pm Post subject:

Not only do you have the weight of the tent thing, but you are also going to need some sort of (custom) adapter to mount the tent to the roof rails on the C-Dory.

You need to consider the extra windage that the tent will provide when it is erect. That and the weight of the tent payload could result in lots of rocking of the boat. Being high up, the translation of the people in the tent is going to be larger than if you were in the berth.

I also wonder how much wider the tent is than the cabin roof. It might overhang a bit which might make moving to the front of the boat and things like locks more difficult due to the overhang.

If I were going to do something like that for my boat (ans since you admit there'd only be one person using it), I'd built a platform sized for one person and use a one person low profile back packing tent. Something like this https://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/ionosphere

I'd make something that goes across the cockpit (gunwale to gunwale) before I'd put it on the roof.

Peter & Judy · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:33 am Post subject:

I don't think the weight would be the problem. We normally carry two 13 foot kayaks on top and stow some of our kayaking gear in the boats. So we are close to 150 lbs. I think that while sleeping up top you would want to incorporate a barf bag. I could not imagine what kind of sleep you would have at anchor if there was any kind of wind or chop. I would try to figure out how you could sleep the extra person lower down in the cockpit.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 12:11 pm Post subject:

What they said...

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:26 pm Post subject:

I have slept many nights on the floor of my boat when 4 went. With a decent pad and a good bag, it actually wasn't that bad. I think you'd be more comfortable there than on the roof.

Leo Smith · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:53 am Post subject:

If the boat is rocking, don't come knocking!

clayhubler · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:31 pm Post subject:

Currently my daughter sleeps on the floor. This makes it hard for the wife to use the porta potty at night. I really want to keep the walkways clear.
I would think a little rocking might help a guy sleep better.

hardee · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:59 pm Post subject:

I would certainly look at using the cockpit, (hammock or sort of) instead of adding that weight aloft. You are not only adding the tent weight, but the mounting gear, bedding, windage (as mentioned) but you are also adding the leverage of off center moments. That may not be a big deal in head on seas, but in beam seas it will be an issue, and in following seas it increases your chances of anxiety in a bow steering moment, that will make things uncomfortable at best and serious to hazardous at worst.

I would vote for the cockpit, followed by the table as best options.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

the inflatable is 55 pounds.

Peter & Judy · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 4:25 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 4:55 pm Post subject:

Maybe tell those sleeping downstairs to wear their rain gear Twisted Evil

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Fairbro · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:18 am Post subject:

Wishing I was savvy enough to photoshop a 10’ x 12’ , Montana wall tent on top of a C-Dory...anyone? Lol![/img]

WeekiTiki · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:34 am Post subject:

Just get a covered life raft

thataway · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 11:28 am Post subject:

The C dory will not roll over in calm weather. , it might just be a very uncomfortable night if there was some chop or wind. Probably not even with usual chop. But I have seen boats in the 22 to 25' size roll over when too much weight aloft and heavy beam seas.