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I am looking for someone local to London to help make a tenting system for my boat.  It's a 12 foot long aluminium open boat which I want to enclose in a tent type structure for sleeping in while on the water.  I have already made a framework of four fibreglass cross hoops, like the old covered wagons in western movies.  Now I need to make a tent canvas cover to go over these for the tent to be complete.

Big question is, where can I get suitable material and how this can be put together to make a snug fitting tent that will keep us dry and warm on the water.  Any ideas most welcome.  The cover will also be used when trailering the boat on the road, so it will have to be rather rugged and sturdy. 

I have the ideas on how it would work but have no experience in sewing something this big or making a pattern that will be effective.  Yes- I've had a look at some commercially available tents and they don't fit for one reason or another.  The people that make covers for canal boats and other makers do not want to know about the project as it is "Not a standard design",  so they are of no help.

I hope to be able to include a zipper door flap in the middle of the boat on both sides for entry and exit, but if this is going to be too much trouble, I'll leave it out. 

Has anyone done a project like this, or can offer any assitance please.  Summer boat trip day out on the water in return for quality and effective assistance.

Many thanks,

Martin

This is a company in Suffolk which manufacture bespoke tarp covers. They would probably make you a custom made item for your project.

....  http://www.tarpaulinsuk.com/40040/info.php?p=5&pno=0

Fit cleats to boat, cut a trailer tarp to fit your over your poles,leave a 2" overlap at ends. Fit eyelets to tarp inline with cleats. Tarp needs be a couple of inches short of cleats,Fit bungey cord to tarp and secure to cleats.

This just leaves the ends,cut 2 peices to size, take the 3 pieces to a sailmaker to sew up and i am sure they will fit a zip in the centre, or sew velcro strips on all panels so you can stick and peel of during the day.

I hope this makes sense, there are number of small independent sailmakers who i am sure would assit and possibly insert a clear panel if required.

As sails are made canvas and modern materials they may reccomend a better option for the panels.

If you can pick up a cheap lorry flysheet you have 50ft of tarp to play with.