Andy’s set up (above)

With the coming of longer days my mind starts to consider all the places I want to go by boat this spring and summer. Sleeping on the boat is always my first choice.

Setting up my “cabin” for the night takes about four minutes. Once Row Bird is secured to a dock or by anchor, I just slide the furled tent out of its bag. Clip a lead to the main mast, unroll the waterproof double-ripstop tent and walk it aft to the mizzen, where using a strap and buckle, I tighten it until it is taut, then tie down the tent at the ends of three internal battens making a Conestoga wagon on the water. If I think it is going to be humid, I clip in an internal rain fly made of Sunbrella material.

The tent is long enough that it covers the entire boat fore and aft, which great for rainy nights.

Next I move all gear to the port side of the boat, make sure the floorboards are dry, lay out a camping pad and sleeping bag on the starboard side and I’m ready for bed.

Whenever I row up to an anchorage or dock around dusk; heads turn, as sailors of cabin boats scrutinize Row Bird and me. Of course, I always hope they’re noticing my careful scanning of the scene, my skillful approach, or the anchors and mooring lines well organized and ready in my open cockpit. But I’ve been through this routine often enough to know what’s truly on the minds of my fellow boaters: The Question. Sometimes they ask it even before saying hello or helping me with my lines. It’s been posed so frequently that I can tell when someone’s going to spring it on me—and someone always does.

Are you going to sleep on that thing?

Read the rest across the jump at 48N Magazine.