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Boat camping is a great outdoor activity in that you can have a lot of fun with your friends, and family, and even solo. When it comes to going on a trip on your boat you may need to buy some new items such as grills, waterproof containers, extra batteries, tents, etc.
So having a tent is very important because there are a lot of advantages you can have from it. When it comes to boat camping there are 2 types of tents you are going to need. One is to place one on your boat and the other is for a place on where you want to stay on land.
Advantages of having a tent for your boat
Protect you from weather
This benefit is mostly applied to sunny weather and rainy weather. if you are doing activities such as fishing and relaxing you can assemble your tent to protect yourself and others from the UV rays.
Reduce the risk of damage
A boat tent helps to protect the boat from the elements. So it will make your boat’s lifespan longer and you can maintain your boat’s value over time.
Privacy
When it comes to boat camping privacy is a must. So having a boat tent will able to provide you with some privacy and also it will increase the level of security you have from some types of insects and animals.
Related : Boat Camping for Beginners Guide
Is having a custom boat camping tent a good idea?
There are pros and cons to making a DIY boat tent on your own.
Pros
The perfect tent
you can have a perfect tent as you wish. That means you can customize it to sort your gear and items perfectly.
Learn a new skill
If you are making a boat enclosure by yourself that means you can learn a new skill from it. So if you can spend your time more, you may able to turn this skill into a business opportunity.
Save the cost
Making a DIY boat enclosure on your own means you are the one who putting in the effort to make it. So you can save some money because of it.
Can be happy about it
After making it perfectly you can be happy and proud about creating on your own.
Cons
It takes your time and your effort
Creating a DIY boat enclosure is not simple as it looks if you are doing this for the first time. So it might take some time for you to watch tutorials, take the measurements, fix issues, etc.
Need of tools
If you don’t have specific tools and materials to make the DIY boat tent it will cost you more money.
Need basic skills to use items
Even if you have the right tools to make it, you may not have any experience doing work like this. So there is a lower chance to make a perfect boat enclosure even if you sacrifice your time and effort for it.
My Opinion about making a DIY boat enclosures
If you don’t have enough skill and or the right tools to make it. I prefer it will be a good idea to buy an enclosure because otherwise, it will end up making you unsatisfied with your work. But if you are ok with everything that I said you will end by learning a new skill and maybe a perfect DIY boat tent. I can be sure if you follow the right tutorials for it, you will be able to make it perfect.
Factors you should consider before buying a boat camping tent
Your budget
Before spending money on a tent you should consider how much money you can put into buying it. If you spend more than half of your money on the tent, how are you going to cover the other costs of your trip? So make your budget first.
Size of the tent
To enjoy your trip, try to find a perfect enclosure that fits your boat. if your tent is bigger than the boat you will have a problem.
Material of the tent
You can calculate the durability of your tent by knowing its material. Most of the tents come with the material called polyester which has good resistance to UV rays and water resistance.
Best tents for boat camping
Pontoon Easy-Up Enclosure 56″ D x 74″ T, Black/Blue
This enclosure is made in the USA and it comes in black and blue color and I have a blue color one. So here is my opinion about it. This is not very easy to set up fast, so you may need help from another person. Once you know how to do it you may able to setup it alone.
It is enclosed, so If you are expecting to have some privacy from this, you can have it. If you are in a hurry to have an enclosure don’t worry about it, they deliver it fast.
Coleman Carlsbad Dark Room Camping Tent
When it comes to exploring the island while your boat camping trip, you will also need a camping tent to camp on the ground. So here is my suggestion for you.
Special features that I see on this camping tent are
It reduces heat – that means even in sunny weather you don’t need to bother about it.
It has enough room for 4 -6 people
Easy to setup without others help
It is weatherproof – This is a great feature especially for boat campers because you may be able to face rough weather conditions during your journey. So with this tent, you will able to face it without getting worried because it is waterproof and it can stand even if there is 35+ mph wind.
Conclusion
Boat camping is a great outdoor activity. When it comes to choosing tents for your boat camping trip there are several factors you should consider.