Bow tents

[tsandu]

Hi all, have any of you used bow tents for your bowrider? I have not really heard much about them here in Sydney, but appears in the US there were a few options.

I am trying to get my hands on one for the juniors. (where they can have a nap out of the sun, or go to the portaloo, etc when we are anchored)

A company "Taylor made" used to make generic ones, but seems they stopped making them sometime ago.. Does anyone know where someone could purchase one? I see that some manufacturers have them custom made for their line of boats, however when trying to buy one from them (and then modifiying them here to fit my boat), they said they will not ship to Sydney

any clues would be greatly appreciated

 

[promocop]

west marine sells a taylor made collasable umbrealla

 

[tsandu]

Do you have a url, or description? i could not find anything at west marine? i am after something that taylor made sold called a boatent.. yamaha also sell something similer in us for their bowriders... not sure where i cen get something like that online and shipped to sydney

 

[jhild]

I believe you’re referring to a bow dodger. Fairly common on center consoles. You can do a google search to see if there’s an off the shelf product that will fit your boat. You may need to have something custom made, but I can’t imagine a dodger would cost all that much. I'm sure you could find a canvas shop in Sydney that would fabricate anything you want.

 

[tsandu]

I would like to get one made up here, but its shocking on the costs. As an idea, just a bow cover (yes that triangle piece) to have custom made is about $400 here. Thats for a searay 180. For a bimini (material only) It starts at around 600 for a very basic one. Ie to get anything custom made here in regards to boating is $$$$. Add to that, they have not seen these bow tents/ bow dodgers before, so will be paying premium for something that may be junk. Its cheaper to get one from overseas. I was doing a search for bow dodgers as well, and although heaps of items for sailing boats or center consoles, did not see any bowrider specific like the boatent, or the yamaha one they sell ??

 

[Nehalennia]

....it sounds like you're looking for the bow rider version of this?

Do you have enough room to sleep up there?

 

[promocop]

I didnt see either but they have tons of them on sale for $99. It's basically a two pole 6x6 white umbrella with tie downs on all four corners for attrachemnt to your boat. The center pole goes up about 6-8 feet for adjustment

 

[jhild]

Just for everyone's reference, here's a pic of a dodger on an Edgewater CC:

 

[Nehalennia]

Just for everyone's reference, here's a pic of a dodger on an Edgewater CC:

John,
I just noticed you're now SeaRay free. Wow! Are you on the hunt for a new one or are you sticking with the BW ?

 

[jhild]

Hi, Todd - I'm very happy with the Whaler. I loved that little Sea Ray, but it just wasn't a great fit for my needs. The Ventura is a dual console, which is fish boat lingo for bow rider. She's about a foot longer and has an extra foot in beam. Fish-friendly, outboard, self-draining, no carpets, built like a tank. Certainly a much different ride than my SR.

Here’s a link to my original New Boat post with a few pics: http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9085&highlight=token+whaler

 

[Nehalennia]

Cool. I replied on that post. Good for you!

 

[tsandu]

yeap i am after something like was shown on the back of the pickup truck.. but for the searay bow.. there is not enough space for adults to sleep, but for a 2 and 3 year old makes an excellent day bed "cubby house" when on the hook.. the one for the yamaha, is fully enclosed.. so you have a zippered door, etc.. that would be great.. just need to find out where i can pick one up from that will deliver to sydney..

 

[Nehalennia]

yeap i am after something like was shown on the back of the pickup truck.. but for the searay bow.. there is not enough space for adults to sleep, but for a 2 and 3 year old makes an excellent day bed "cubby house" when on the hook.. the one for the yamaha, is fully enclosed.. so you have a zippered door, etc.. that would be great.. just need to find out where i can pick one up from that will deliver to sydney..

Do you have a local Canvas Shop? See if you can get some tent tubing(you know; the fiberglass rods that interconnect to make the bows) and have the canvas shop make the "tent" to acommodate your existing snaps and the bows. Done deal.

 

[tsandu]

getting canvas work done here is $$$$$.. for example.. the bow cover.. (yes that small triangle piece) is >$400 . So not will it be expensive.. but considering he canvas guys have not made one before, or even seen one, the end results may be... not the best..
I am hoping to get one from US.. and then have it just altered here to fit my boat.. which will be heaps heaps cheaper, and also mot likely a better product.