camping

[luckygump]

My wife and I are new to boating and are just loving it! We bought a suntracker party barge 25 regency edition with a 3.0 liter I/O. We live and boat in Arizona so an upgrade to the double bimini was a must. We have camped on the boat at both Lake Powell and Roosevelt lake. We are interested in getting feedback from any of you "Pontoon campers" out there as to how to go about making our own camping enclosure. Details and pics would be greatly appreciated. Dowco has agreed to sell us the zippers that match our top and my wife is quite handy in the sewing department. I too am quite handy with tools and just can't see us forking over the $4000.00 or so Bass Pro shops wants for the enclosure. We got a "smoking deal" on some Sunbrella fabric that is a very close color match to our bimini top, though it is a little lighter weight, we think it's suitable for our application. Also looking for tips on the best products out there for waterproofing the entire canvas when complete. Open to all suggestions. Let us know your experiences and don't forget the pictures!!

[lakerunner]

I don't boat camp but the Sunbrella is perfect for what you want. As far as waterproofing we almost all use 303 fabric protectant. I did my Bimini 3 years ago and it still sheds water. I also double treated all seams and zippers plus seams from underneath.

[luckygump]

Who makes this 303 and where is it available?

[lakerunner]

http://www.303products.com/or Here http://www.autogeek.net/303aerprot.html

Some marine dealers also carry it. In fact my 06 Regency came with a warning that to use anything else would void my vinyl warranty

[goldnrod24]

In fact my 06 Regency came with a warning that to use anything else would void my vinyl warranty

That's what the Bennington warranty says, too!

[wandertheglobe]

I think you are on the right track with the Sunbrella fabric and the 303 waterproofing. Have you thought about windows, etc? Some of the enclosures I've seen have screens (to keep out the bugs but allow ventilation) and snap in clear plastic. Since you are making it yourself you have a lot of flexibility in your design.

I'd be interested in where you got the good deal on the Sunbrella if it is still available.

Good luck with your project!

[luckygump]

303 it is then! It will be a weekend by weekend project a little @ a time and yes we are contemplating the versatility of windows in the construction for a mixed bag of visibility and privacy. Seems important to you "tooners" so here it is, We pull ours around with a 2010 F-150 5.4 liter and 6 speed auto. Why, 'cause they didn't take the "bailout"!! The only good Obama would be No Obama at all! As for the fabric, we got it by chance from an Odd Lot fabric Store in Mesa AZ, Called Home Fabrics. Buying there is a hit or miss opportunity but there are some deals to be had. On another note while we have the boat stuffed into our backyard for the camping enclosure, we'll be testing out ways too rig up sleeping and cooking arrangements. Future photos to come for anyone interested!

[slingshot]

Here's a shot of my enclosure for ideas.

[luckygump]

Thanks! Looking for every Idea out there. Got any closeup photos? Buy it or make it? Man that's a lotta windows! If you bought it from somewhere, from whom and for how much? My wife just informed me that fabric store I mentioned has other places around the country. Google'em I havent learned how to post links yet, my brain is already full! Te He!

[Parasympathetic]

Google'em I havent learned how to post links yet, my brain is already full! Te He!

You got the Obama thing right so you're doing good.

[woolznaz]

Luckygump,
It's great to see another AZ tooner on here! My wife and I boat at Bartlett Lake most often, just north east of Phoenix. We also got the double bimini tops -- a must in the AZ summer.

There are some other threads on here about this topic. I started one too because I would like to camp on the boat more often. Here's a thread I started: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4691 but there are others and some have some great pictures of full enclosures that will be great for ideas for you.

Happy boating -- if you ever head out to Bartlett, let me know. We'd like to make a Lake Powell trip this summer too.

[luckygump]

Howdy fellow AZtooner! Thanks for the help! Haven't tooned on Bartlett yet but we'll get there. If you haven't tooned on Powell yet, be prepared to be blown away! You will have a hard time returning to any of the middle state puddles after that experience and Lake Pleasant will become a waste of gas, time and launch and retrieval efforts! Slow typer here and little time outside of work during the week to do little more than post and read but keep your eyes peeled I will learn how to get some damn pictures up. Photos of the beauty won't do the place justice! You've got to experience it for yourself!

[jim454]

I had a canvas shop custom make my enclosure.

This what they used for material, http://www.canvascraftinc.com/fabrics.html. Get the best zippers you can find, I spent 6 days on the Mississippi with my toon, I hit some bad weather with breakers crashing into the enclosure, no problems.

[fishmor]

Here was our first camping trip. As you can tell by the clutter we weren't well organized.
http://picasaweb.google.com/shootmor/Fi ... ampingTrip#
click on the pics to enlarge them

[luckygump]

Some people have more money than time. We've got the talent, we'd rather save the cash hiring it done and I find my labor rates acceptible! There choice of fabric seems to be the best of the best and the industry standard and it's what well be using too. As for the 303 suggested for waterproofing we've found it locally for 60 bones a gallon @ camping world! Yes, no shipping and handling! They are online too if not near you. A virtual cornicopia of all things camping and outdoors. Check them out on the web for yourselves if you hadn't already. Keep the photos and the ideas coming thanks!!!