Hawk the QM Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Hello All, I'm trying to gather enough information to build a tent out of a piece of sail. Now my nautical knowledge is limited, so I don't know where to begin. I don't need anything fancy and using a couple poles and some rope, I would like to build a little shelter. I don't want to buy a civil war tent because too many are in use and it just does not seem very piraty to me. What I'm asking for is what type of sail material should be used. I'm thinking about the size of a standard wall tent but the shape is going to be whatever works. I like the idea of a tent made out of some pieces scavenged from some shipwreck. Any advice? All is appreciated. I did a search on the forums but only came up with sutler tents (I retired from Civil War and apparently people still don't like Confederates.) The Quartermaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelsbagley Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 There's no easy answer to your question.... But if you check any of the following existing threads on the pub you will see various ideas and suggestions.... Getting Tentage ready for PiP GAoP Encampment A Seaman's Camp The Mercury, 1720 Careening Camp Creating the 1720 Late GAoP careening camp Period Camping And here is a pic of what I am using.... With a link to the incomplete set of instructions I wrote on making it.... Patrick Hand wrote something similar, but completed his, and did it better. My INCOMPLETE instructions for making a Tarp/Sail Tent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk the QM Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 Thank You Sir. I was looking at other posts about these encampments but non the of the links worked. I was very happy to see yours did =) Now, for a bit o' reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abrams Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thank You Sir. I was looking at other posts about these encampments but non the of the links worked. I was very happy to see yours did =)Now, for a bit o' reading. Just for reference purposes, the links should probably work if you remove the "/forums" from the URL. Good luck with the tent, mate, and let's see some pictures along the way! I've got the heart of a pirate, just not the garb... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganTyre Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I'm sure it will be talked about heavily throughout the linked threads I just want to mention the simple diamond tent. This is by far the easiest and most basic tent and an appropiate piece of canvas (albeit cotton) can be picked up inexpensively as a painters dropcloth. If you rag it out a bit and sew patches here or there you'll have a very quick (maybe an hour or two of work to get the material in to that salvaged condition) and cheap period shelter that you can set up in minutes. The only downside is a lack of privacy but a seaman used to living in close quarters with other men wont be concerned about the privacy. http://www.wizzywigweb.com/longshot/diamond.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Jack Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 We ourselves at Louisbourg a couple of years ago used a small sail and spar and crossed long oars to build an A-frame tent, by wrapping the after-end of the sail around the rear oars, and quickly whip-stitching up the back. It left an open face [which in cold, cold Louisbourg is not that comfortable] but it kept out water like a charm despite the open end. It was low [the oars were not that long], so no standing up inside, but it had a most nautical and improvised look, and much impressed the many army reenactors who watched us set it up.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Fer funsies... I made a sail (yeah and all handsewn, but that's just because I'm weird) OK... It's "period"(Kinda) , but it is a pain to set-up.... if I were do do it again, I'd cheat and make one edge at 90 degrees... It would set-up soooo much easier...... If we were in TWILL... we would have to argue if it was 100% correct...but for most of what we do... minor cheating works more efficiently..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Jack Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) Image has now been uploaded to the gallery, of the small sail and short oars built into a sleeping tent. Edited August 8, 2009 by Calico Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captscurvy_nc Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 One thing I did when I got ready to build all the tents for my encampment was talk to my local boy scout troupe. There are a number of badges and project hours they can get by building a wedge or diamond tent. We did it for three mondays in a row and the kids loved it. It also helped out a lot since I was still very immobile at that point with my back surgery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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