Canoe Tents

[Benson Gray]

it would allow me to sleep on the water (public right-of-way) without trespassing on private shoreline

I suspect that may have been part of the appeal for the pair who went from Pittsburgh to New Orleans as mentioned in the catalog page above.

Benson

 

[Erica]

I've seen a bunch of these kinds of canoe tents on Pinterest. If I can figure out how to move photos from there to here, I'll do that. Some are different designs.

I have a couple of times thought I was going to have to sleep in the canoe...mostly in marshy areas. Always lucked out at the last minute by some soggy but stable ground. It seemed to me it would be really uncomfortable contorting oneself around the gear and thwarts and seats.

I agree that probably the best use is to go down rivers where no camping is allowed on the banks. Or in Virginia I think it was, one could paddle down the waterway, but the bottom was private land and you couldn't get out of the boat. I was looking at a pretty run somewhere in the Midwest, but you had to run it all in one day because there was no camping. Juniper Springs in Florida is no camping. No even getting out of the boat.

 

[gumpus]

I enjoy seeing the designs from clemency and Benson. I've napped in canoes and loved it. In my experience the boat is extremely stable when you are laying on the floor. My canoes are dry inside since I use synthetic rags to soak up any water that gets in. In a Swift solo with a sliding seat there is no seat in the way, just the front thwart which isn't a huge problem if the canoe is deep enough but if you want more room you could make or bring an arched front thwart and use wing nuts. Even my Keewaydin 15 with fixed seat is pretty comfy. Sleeping in the boat gives you the opportunity to tie the boat to a tree (or two) offshore; one time I woke up and my gunwales were covered with blue damselflies. It's also delightfully warm on cool days since you are sheltered from the wind.

I'd suggest trying a nap before investing in a tent.