by John Deacon

I have spent many comfortable nights under a cover over the boom of my old fourteen foot dinghy which is three quarter decked. The cover was like a ridge tent and is a simple form of accommodation. It did lack elbow room and on a few occasions, when I was caught on an exposed mooring in a rough night, spoilt my sleep. The cover caught too much wind and the boat sailed first one way and then the other. So I sewed reefing points along each side which enabled me to reduce the height of the boom. It was a satisfactory method but I wanted something better that would have the minimum of wind area and maximum accommodation, which would fold away while sailing and be quickly erected.

From thin ply strips, about one inch wide, I laminated four hoops, two main hoops to pivot from the side deck about amidships and two secondary hoops pivoted off the main hoops. My dinghy has no side benches but a back thwart which I have made removable and which serves as a table while dining. When this thwart is removed the hoops, which fold together like the frame of a perambulator hood, pivot down to the floorboards. I think if one can afford the material and knows how to bend it, aluminium tube would be easier than laminated ply for this frame.

Not wanting to buy a cover before I had proved the design I set to work with some ex Government fabric to produce a prototype; it was imperfect but I used it for a season and satisfied myself it was the right idea. I have now had made a cover from fifteen ounce canvas, it is tied permanently to the hoops and when erected is secured to the decking. To overcome the shrinkage problem I have two pivot holes at each side of the boat and before I sleep, or in wet weather, I lower the hoop frame into the bottom holes.

My old cover is green canvas and is dull inside, my prototype cover is yellow and gives a sunshine effect, my new cover is white and is bright inside - but does get dirty. One day I would like to have a cover tailored for my hooped frame from a man made fibre; this would not shrink when wet and would be easy to keep clean. The problem is the seams which can only be waterproofed by welding. My ideal would be a fabric like a convertible car top but this would require windows.

This cover has been described as an "igloo" and as an "instant cabin". I have used it for two seasons and find it most satisfactory. The stern panel can be rolled up leaving enough shelter for cooking or privacy for shaving while offering a wide view of the surroundings.