Second Overnighter Test
Managed to get away recently for another overnighter spent entirely on board (apart from leaving to get a few pictures).
All up I spent 20 hours on the AI.
I was keen to test the bimini and a new Teton Outfitter tent to replace my cramped bivvy. The Teton is an instant up tent, just peg the corners and pull a draw string to set up. The included waterproof fly can be clipped on if needed but as I would be under the bimini and the weather was fine, I didn't bother. The Teton is designed to fit over their cot so I figured it would be an ideal size for the haka camping platform.
Under sail the collapsed bimini was out of the way. It was a bit like a quarter deck/rack for luggage:
I anchored in my usual spot, had the bimini up in a few minutes and cooked dinner:
It was dark when I set the tent up so no pics but it was so simple to do. The most difficult bit was slipping the corner loops over the eyebolts I had fitted to PVC pipes at the ends of the ladder haka. The tent itself was up in less than a minute!
Next morning I cooked breakfast:
I was visited by a couple of kayakers out for a paddle. They were keen to see how I'd spent the night:
I'm very pleased with this combination. There were some strong winds during the night and the bimini remained flap free, though I did have to get up and put a twist in the bimini straps to stop an annoying wind hum. The tent remained very stable and with so much more room than my old bivvy it felt like I was in a luxury mansion! Set up was incredibly easy.
I'm ready for a much longer test next ...with even a bit of wet weather it shouldn't be a problem!
