Boat camping

is what my daughter calls it. What could be better than combining the fun of camping with the joy of sailing?

The boat tent is a large rectangle of Sunbrella that lies across the gaff plus the boat hook to get enough length. It provides a large usable area, with shelter from the sun or rain.

Ship to shore in Little Cat Too

The tent makes overnighting much more comfortable, keeping the decks dry and allowing free movement between the hulls during the night. The old man sleeps on the deck in complete comfort, while the little helpers have a cabin each.

The Little Helpers beach combing at China Camp.

This particular trip started at China Camp on Angel Island. The Little Helpers like to escape in the dinghy and explore the foreshore. At dusk we were lucky to see a deer and her doe appear and forage along the beach.

Dinner was noodles and soup, followed by a great deal of longing around and enjoyment of the sunset.

 

The next morning, the Little Helpers took Little Cat Too east around Pt Simpton to explore the beautiful sheltered beaches there, and to jump off rocks (of course).
 

Pt Simpton behind.

It is really deep along the shore here, and almost always very sheltered. I spend a lot of time anchored 10 feet off this shore. It is so deep I am surprised that other cruisers don't pull in and anchor here, instead I usually have it to myself.

Little Helper #1

Little Helper #2

  

A few months later, we did another overnight at Quarry Beach (East side of Angel Island). This trip was much colder and breezier, so had the boat tent cinched down closer to the deck to give more shelter and less windage.

 At some point I will sew up a zip-on section for the bow end of the boat tent. This will stop wind and rain from blowing through entirely and then we will have true boat camping luxury afloat.