Hi all, this thread really interests me. I am planning to sail on the Gulf from South Padre to Galveston, TX in a hobie 16 in a minimalist style. We are planning to lash our drybags on the tramp in the center and carry a gallon of water behind each stern pylon on the top of the hulls. Gulf conditions can be challenging.



The last issue is one of shelter. Storms from the North are foul and inevitably bring colder temperatures. The rare westerly wind blows all the bugs to the beach, which is downright horrifying without some repellent.



Has anyone devised a lightweight solution to sleeping dryly and bug-free in a Hobie 16 ? A 2-man tent is kind of heavy for the boat and (mine) is flimsy in strong wind. Using the sails as cover doesn't appeal to me, as bad weather could shred them. We are thinking of combinations of tarps and bug netting, stretched over the boom as the "roof", and sleeping on the tramp with space blankets. Any ideas out there ? - chuck