Thanks Alex! Most places I can set up the tent cot on the beach, where it functions nicely as a small, but wind and water resistant tent. However, there are some places where I sail, or where I want to sail, where one is not allowed to put a tent on the beach. It's usually OK to tie off/anchor in shallow water, perhaps sitting on the bottom at low tide, but there are places where you aren't supposed to put a tent above the high tide line. This gives me an option for those locations. One such place is Cayo Costa in SW Florida. I was all set to go on the group sail there earlier this spring, but got sick and decided I'd better not go. But Cayo Costa IS on my list for next year!
I'm buying a new Tandem and I aready have a tent cot that I love, I can't wait to do the same. My cot has suport legs infront and crossed fiberglass rods on roof but looks almost the same as yours. Great info Thanks heaps
You may need to modify the support boards to fit the legs of your cot, but if you can work that out, you should be good to go. I really do like my tent cot, whether camping on shore (most of the time) or camping on the boat (special conditions when camping on shore is not an option).
They are remarkably comfortable. The main problem is condensation if you have to pull the rain fly all the way closed, but that's a problem with any small tent or bivy bag. I only used this method to mount the cots on a TI. I suspect it might work on an AI, but one would have to check to be sure the distances will work. :-)
Nice video and cool setup. Do you have thoughts about having two originals oriented as yours is, but each one partially over a tramp, with space between, over the boat. We've only been on ours twice for short outings, before winter set in, but plan to do some expeditions this spring and summer, and really want the ability to boat camp when other options are less than ideal.
@@alanroy5085 Yes, I would love to see what you come up with! I haven't come up with improvements to the single cot rig for some time, but I never played around with two cots.
Yes, it is fairly heavy--definitely wouldn't want to backpack with it. :-) But, when beach camping on the TI, weight isn't quite so important. I find it very comfortable though--far more comfortable than sleeping on most camping mats or inflatable mattresses. The main issue was getting used to the confined space and heat/condensation when I had to fully close the rainfly in heavy rain. But, that will be a problem with any small tent, including bivvy bags or hammocks with a rainfly. Most of the time I just have the rainfly on one end and sleep with 2-4 of the screen windows open, for plenty of ventilation. I've spent a lot of nights in it the last 3 years or so, and it's my "go to" tent for most of my outings. I also have a traditional, small backpacking tent and a small pop-up tent, but those are mostly backup options.
Hey mate, thanks for the video. When you have the tent mounted, is it low enough to still use the sail, or do you have to completely remove everything before you use the sail? Cheers
@@DanOjaSailing thanks mate. I have the same set up. I have even used the kamp cot. I just have mine going across the bow instead in-line with it. Works well! Thanks for the idea
Thanks. I bought a waterproof car-top bag and put the tent in that. Then use the straps and attachment points to tie it to the trampoline on the TI. That works reasonably well. The frame of the cot is fairly bulky, but it's not a real problem for sailing attached to the trampolines. And, I sleep quite well in that cot. With the rainfly on, the tent cot is also quite water proof, even in fairly heavy rain. With the rainfly closed up, the tent can get warm and damp due to condensation. But, that's going to be a problem with any small tent. Hot, rainy nights can be difficult when camping.
Thanks! Yes, I have owned/sailed a good many boats, of various sizes, but I have to say I really enjoy the Hobie AI (single seater) and TI (two seater) as they are exceedingly fun and versatile boats. I find them to be very appropriate for the type of sailing that I do and the places that I go. Yes, I believe I could set up the cot tent in deeper water IF not carrying a full load of camping gear. The problem with that is that, I would usually have a full load of camping gear--usually the cot tent and sleeping gear in a water resistant car-top bag on one tramp and the rest of my camping gear in a car top bag on the other tramp. That doesn't give me much room to work while setting up the cot. So, it would be much easier to rig if I could stand in shallow water. Once I get the cot tent set up, that tramp becomes free to use as a "porch" when getting out of the cot tent, which works very nicely. I would also have some concerns about anchoring in deeper water as it would be very difficult to maneuver the boat if something was to happen during the night. Then again, people who camp in smaller mono-hulls usually put up a boom tent and can't maneuver if something happens during the night, so maybe I just worry too much. 😉 I have slept in the cot tent on the TI a good number of times, but always in shallow non-tidal water, usually tied off to shore in a protected area. The key thing is that I wasn't sleeping on the shore, which isn't allowed or isn't feasible (due to swampy ground), in some locations. There are a couple of trips that I want to do that will be in shallow tidal waters, where camping on shore is not allowed. My plan is to rig the boat in shallow water (maybe knee deep), trying to make sure I'm anchored well over a fairly clean sand bottom. At low tide, I will end up on the bottom, but if it is fairly clean sand (not rocks or oyster shells) and if it is reasonably level, then I think I'll be OK. The monohull sailers that I often sail with, often lie aground at low tide, so they often tilt a bit, but they live with it. The alternative would be to anchor in deeper water, but I would rather avoid that if I could. I'd hate to wake up and find I've drifted off somewhere, maybe waking up in the path of a freighter or something. 🤣
The advantage of the "Classic" cot is that it has only two legs, so only needs two support boards. I believe most of the larger versions have 4 legs, which would require 4 support boards. The other option might be to try using long boards that run along the hull, perhaps even leaving in place, fastened to the akas.
Thanks! I find it to be a good backup plan, for those places where I can't tent on dry ground, usually due to property use restrictions or no dry land in the area.
@@sdnlawrence5640 Perhaps that is why so many of them participate in the Everglades Challenge 300 every year. :-) That's a serious, 300 mile race from St Petersburg FL to Key Largo. As with most boats, it's a question of the conditions in which you are using the boat. The TI and AI are extremely versatile boats. They don't require an engine, they can sail in very shallow water, peddle in less, and can paddle in just a few inches. And, they can be dragged long distances by hand, and beach launched without a trailer or a boat ramp. I have sailed my TI places where no other sailboat can go. Yet, I can also go places where most small sailboats can go. It's a question of the "use case"--the conditions in which one is using the boat. Each type of boat has different advantages and disadvantages, each is good for different situations.
This a very useful adaptation in a number of situations. For example, I often sail places where I am not allowed to put a tent on shore, but can tie up in protected shallow water. This lets me camp in such areas. I also sail in areas with significant tides, which means there are portions of the coast where there is no dry land at high tide. With this, the tent rises and falls with the water, making it possible to camp in those areas. It's a solution to very specific problems. :-)
Thanks, Dan! Beautiful, easy-to-follow video. Great job; thanks for all the work you put into it.
Thanks! It's worked well for me. If you try it, let me know if it works for you!
Truly amazing!! Superb!!
Excellent job.
Regards.
Fred.
Great set-up Dan. Thanks for giving all the details.
Thanks Alex! Most places I can set up the tent cot on the beach, where it functions nicely as a small, but wind and water resistant tent. However, there are some places where I sail, or where I want to sail, where one is not allowed to put a tent on the beach. It's usually OK to tie off/anchor in shallow water, perhaps sitting on the bottom at low tide, but there are places where you aren't supposed to put a tent above the high tide line. This gives me an option for those locations. One such place is Cayo Costa in SW Florida. I was all set to go on the group sail there earlier this spring, but got sick and decided I'd better not go. But Cayo Costa IS on my list for next year!
@@DanOjaSailing that would come in handy in Australia too. Camping is very restricted here.
great design. utterly well done
I'm buying a new Tandem and I aready have a tent cot that I love, I can't wait to do the same. My cot has suport legs infront and crossed fiberglass rods on roof but looks almost the same as yours. Great info Thanks heaps
You may need to modify the support boards to fit the legs of your cot, but if you can work that out, you should be good to go. I really do like my tent cot, whether camping on shore (most of the time) or camping on the boat (special conditions when camping on shore is not an option).
I dig it! I have two tent cots that I bought years ago on sale and have never used them. Now I'll just need to get me a Hobie AI so I Can use one lol.
They are remarkably comfortable. The main problem is condensation if you have to pull the rain fly all the way closed, but that's a problem with any small tent or bivy bag. I only used this method to mount the cots on a TI. I suspect it might work on an AI, but one would have to check to be sure the distances will work. :-)
This is so epic, I day dream about doing this.
Thanks! I've had some fun outings with it, am hoping for even more years!
Most Excellent!
Nice video and cool setup. Do you have thoughts about having two originals oriented as yours is, but each one partially over a tramp, with space between, over the boat. We've only been on ours twice for short outings, before winter set in, but plan to do some expeditions this spring and summer, and really want the ability to boat camp when other options are less than ideal.
Two cots would be more involved, but with a bit of planning and some trial and error, you may find a way to do it. :-)
@@DanOjaSailing been working on it this week. I'll post of I get it working
@@alanroy5085 Yes, I would love to see what you come up with! I haven't come up with improvements to the single cot rig for some time, but I never played around with two cots.
really sweet setup. Where's the galley? :-)
It might have to go in the lower level, below the center cabin. :-)
Great idea but I found I could not get comfortable on a camprite cot. I had to return mine. It was heavy too.
Yes, it is fairly heavy--definitely wouldn't want to backpack with it. :-) But, when beach camping on the TI, weight isn't quite so important. I find it very comfortable though--far more comfortable than sleeping on most camping mats or inflatable mattresses. The main issue was getting used to the confined space and heat/condensation when I had to fully close the rainfly in heavy rain. But, that will be a problem with any small tent, including bivvy bags or hammocks with a rainfly. Most of the time I just have the rainfly on one end and sleep with 2-4 of the screen windows open, for plenty of ventilation. I've spent a lot of nights in it the last 3 years or so, and it's my "go to" tent for most of my outings. I also have a traditional, small backpacking tent and a small pop-up tent, but those are mostly backup options.
Hey mate, thanks for the video. When you have the tent mounted, is it low enough to still use the sail, or do you have to completely remove everything before you use the sail? Cheers
Sorry, just catching up on replies. No, I cannot sail with the tent mounted as it covers both seats and would interfere with the sail.
@@DanOjaSailing thanks mate. I have the same set up. I have even used the kamp cot. I just have mine going across the bow instead in-line with it. Works well! Thanks for the idea
Dan - nice setup. How do you stow and secure the tent when under way? I love the concept!
Thanks. I bought a waterproof car-top bag and put the tent in that. Then use the straps and attachment points to tie it to the trampoline on the TI. That works reasonably well. The frame of the cot is fairly bulky, but it's not a real problem for sailing attached to the trampolines. And, I sleep quite well in that cot. With the rainfly on, the tent cot is also quite water proof, even in fairly heavy rain. With the rainfly closed up, the tent can get warm and damp due to condensation. But, that's going to be a problem with any small tent. Hot, rainy nights can be difficult when camping.
That is a cool boat!
Do you think you would be able to install the tent cot while anchored away from the shore?
Thanks! Yes, I have owned/sailed a good many boats, of various sizes, but I have to say I really enjoy the Hobie AI (single seater) and TI (two seater) as they are exceedingly fun and versatile boats. I find them to be very appropriate for the type of sailing that I do and the places that I go.
Yes, I believe I could set up the cot tent in deeper water IF not carrying a full load of camping gear.
The problem with that is that, I would usually have a full load of camping gear--usually the cot tent and sleeping gear in a water resistant car-top bag on one tramp and the rest of my camping gear in a car top bag on the other tramp. That doesn't give me much room to work while setting up the cot.
So, it would be much easier to rig if I could stand in shallow water. Once I get the cot tent set up, that tramp becomes free to use as a "porch" when getting out of the cot tent, which works very nicely.
I would also have some concerns about anchoring in deeper water as it would be very difficult to maneuver the boat if something was to happen during the night. Then again, people who camp in smaller mono-hulls usually put up a boom tent and can't maneuver if something happens during the night, so maybe I just worry too much. 😉
I have slept in the cot tent on the TI a good number of times, but always in shallow non-tidal water, usually tied off to shore in a protected area. The key thing is that I wasn't sleeping on the shore, which isn't allowed or isn't feasible (due to swampy ground), in some locations.
There are a couple of trips that I want to do that will be in shallow tidal waters, where camping on shore is not allowed. My plan is to rig the boat in shallow water (maybe knee deep), trying to make sure I'm anchored well over a fairly clean sand bottom. At low tide, I will end up on the bottom, but if it is fairly clean sand (not rocks or oyster shells) and if it is reasonably level, then I think I'll be OK.
The monohull sailers that I often sail with, often lie aground at low tide, so they often tilt a bit, but they live with it.
The alternative would be to anchor in deeper water, but I would rather avoid that if I could. I'd hate to wake up and find I've drifted off somewhere, maybe waking up in the path of a freighter or something. 🤣
@@DanOjaSailing, thank you for the very comprehensive answer! It also contains very good points to consider.
Enjoy sailing!
@@hntrains2 You're welcome! Enjoy sailing!
Wonder if the same method could be done using the two person cot tent version?
The advantage of the "Classic" cot is that it has only two legs, so only needs two support boards. I believe most of the larger versions have 4 legs, which would require 4 support boards. The other option might be to try using long boards that run along the hull, perhaps even leaving in place, fastened to the akas.
Does it stay up all the time you are sailing or dooes it stop away? Great ideas! Thanks.
No, you can't really sail with it up. I store it in a water resistant car top bag strapped to a trampoline while sailing.
nice one!
Good job
Good idea
Thanks! I find it to be a good backup plan, for those places where I can't tent on dry ground, usually due to property use restrictions or no dry land in the area.
Nice.
What happens if you get lucky with the chick from the bar??
Won't happen the Hobie is not an impressive boat.
@@sdnlawrence5640 Some would say, it's not the boat, it is how you use it. :-)
@@sdnlawrence5640 Perhaps that is why so many of them participate in the Everglades Challenge 300 every year. :-) That's a serious, 300 mile race from St Petersburg FL to Key Largo. As with most boats, it's a question of the conditions in which you are using the boat. The TI and AI are extremely versatile boats. They don't require an engine, they can sail in very shallow water, peddle in less, and can paddle in just a few inches. And, they can be dragged long distances by hand, and beach launched without a trailer or a boat ramp. I have sailed my TI places where no other sailboat can go. Yet, I can also go places where most small sailboats can go. It's a question of the "use case"--the conditions in which one is using the boat. Each type of boat has different advantages and disadvantages, each is good for different situations.
Cool. Get a hotel room.
There aren't any hotel rooms in many of the places where I sail. :-)
Make a vid without talking dude .
Thats ritual before sleep for me lmao 🤣
Boat people do weird things.
This a very useful adaptation in a number of situations. For example, I often sail places where I am not allowed to put a tent on shore, but can tie up in protected shallow water. This lets me camp in such areas. I also sail in areas with significant tides, which means there are portions of the coast where there is no dry land at high tide. With this, the tent rises and falls with the water, making it possible to camp in those areas. It's a solution to very specific problems. :-)
Would also be good for overnighting on a pontoon boat because they usually have open flat areas to set up.