I make my new dinghy tent

Showing the creation of a new sleeping tent for my cruising dinghy, made from traditional cotton Ventile using a classic Singer sewing machine.
INTERESTED IN DINGHY CRUISING?
Read my book, "The Dinghy Cruising Companion":
www.amazon.co....
And join the Dinghy Cruising Association:
dinghycruising....
VENTILE
Is the trade name for a tightly woven long staple cotton developed in the 1940s by the Shirley Institute in Manchester and originally manufactured by Talbot Weaving in Chorley. It was used in the production of immersion suits for pilots forced to ditch in the sea during WW2, and continued to be used for this purpose for many years afterwards. As the Lancashire cotton industry began to decline, Talbot Weaving partnered with Stotz & Co in Switzerland to dye and finish their products. Eventually Stotz & Co started weaving their own cloth to a similar specification, branded EtaProof. Later Talbot Weaving bought Etaproof fabric from Stotz & Co, rebranding it as Ventile for sale in the UK. Then the company was dissolved in 2019. Stotz & Co had purchased the Ventile brand name in 2017, so the fabric continues to be manufactured - branded as Ventile in the UK and EtaProof in continental Europe.
ventile.co.uk
I purchased my Ventile cloth on the roll from Pointnorth in the UK before Brexit created new restrictions on trade between the UK and EU. Pointnorth are very helpful in the selection of outdoor fabrics, and I recommend them.
www.profabrics...
MUSIC
Whisper of the Pines - Howard Harper-Barnes
Footprints in the Sand - Roots and Recognition featuring Melanie Bell
both from Epidemic Sound
HISTORIC ILLUSTRATIONS
FW 200 picture - commons.m.wiki...
Hurricane pictures - These works created by the United Kingdom Government are in the public domain. This is because they are photographs taken prior to 1 June 1957. HMSO has declared that the expiry of Crown Copyrights applies worldwide.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Ronan Coquil
AVEL DRO
Do you want a boat like mine?
Avel Dro is an Ilur designed by François Vivier, and built of clinker plywood by Les Charpentiers Reunis of Cancale in 1994. I bought her in France to import her into the UK, and more recently returned her to France again before Brexit came into effect, (see note below). The design is based closely on the traditional inshore fishing boats of Brittany in the early years of the twentieth century, hence her single boom-less lugsail rig and lack of a mainsheet horse, (sometimes controversial among my viewers). Although rare in Britain, Ilurs are relatively common in France. The name Avel Dro is Breton, and basically means a whirlwind.
Length 4.44 m
Sail area 12.2 m²
Beam 1.70 m
Draught 0.25 / 0.86 m
Design category C3
François Vivier's website (in English):
www.vivierboats...
Similar dinghies can often be found for sale on the website of the French magazine Le Chasse-Marée:
www.chasse-mar...
Or try Le Bon Coin, (where you can buy anything in France):
www.leboncoin.fr
(Note on post-Brexit trade rules. Since January 2021, Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) residents who buy a boat in France or elsewhere in the EU, with the intention of importing it into the UK, will unfortunately need to pay VAT and other duties on the import).

[@donanderson9872]

What an inspiring man you are Roger! Nothing in your videos are "youtuby" or "lifestyle" and you're drawing you viewers with raw human experience and knowledge. Thank you!

[@felixcat9318]

The Dinghy Cruising Companion immediately became one of my favorite books, beautifully presented and full of lovely photographs and great writing. It was, and remains a beautiful read, and whenever I open it I hugely enjoy it. Just to clarify, I write this as someone that bought the book and is simply an immensely happy reader and a (very) amateur boater.

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you Felix

[@jameskemp6439]

Well done Roger. I am making a cover for my half decker. It is a complex job and I had not considered shrinkage....May have to make some adjustments. I found out that modern sewing machines are not up to stitching canvas. My wife has an old fifties Singer machine and no problem at all.😊😊😊

[@moukafaslouka4796]

I have every possible channel from any country on earth. I have access to tens of thousands of movies and TV series. Yet, I find your channel to be more entertaining than all of those combined.

[@paultraviss1802]

Well done. Great video. Imagine the poor pilots ending up in the sea and then their immersion suits starts to shrink lol.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Wave after wave of nostalgia, remembering my mum working away on her singer making and repairing clothes for me and my 4 siblings. (same model). I couldn’t wait until she moved away so I could muck around with it, turning the whole mechanism into a massive tangle she would patiently unpick. These machines are so robust. The skills she taught me have helped me make and repair lots of bits and pieces over the years including sail repairs and a set of cotton kit bags for spas and boating paraphernalia on Moonlight. Thanks for stirring up these beautiful memories Roger. Pure joy.

[@RogerRoving]

Thanks Chris

[@cwyuenvideo]

antique fibric, antique sewing machine and antique boat. Love it

[@bobpenny8011]

It was the very first time I ever came up to my mom, when I was quite young, to ask her to mend my pants, that she showed me where her sewing kit was, handed it to me and said, "you're going to have to learn someday."

[@OkieBobby]

Roger, I hope you know how welcomed and appreciated your videos are. Today in particular I really needed an escape from the world's nonsense. After moping and hem-hawing around for too long, trying to find something to improve my mood - I decided one of your marvelous videos might help. It damn sure did. Much appreciated! Oh and thanks for being big enough to keep in the full story, even the cloth shrinkage setback. Takes character to share our setbacks and to move beyond them. You demonstrated both, as well as many other fine traits.

[@marcelomedina9358]

Dear Roger, I recently discovered your channel and I really enjoy everything you share, and you teach us it is really a learning about the different aspects of navigation and the details of it. But even more so, that simple and essential philosophy that you convey in your videos, there is a magical charm that I cannot stop watching... Congratulations. A novice navigator of the Argentine silver river.

[@ВладимирВасильев-с3ы]

Good morning! Thank you! Good luck!

[@robhughes7351]

As an inveterate tinkerer and maker, I appreciated seeing another resourceful person making. I guess a professional could have done it faster but you have the satisfaction of having made it yourself. I think that every task which you undertake and at which you succeed equips you for future tasks and the experience makes you smarter.

[@lis819]

Good job!

[@vaunmalone3064]

@Roger Barnes you can do everything! 😊 I'm watching back to back but not chronologically. One is suoposed to make a little knot on the longest thread of your sewing needle! You did an excellent job.

[@pauljessome5718]

Another Mr. INDEPENDENT who gives life a good go. How sweet is that. Learn as you go plan.. it works Paul in Canada

[@tuisitala9068]

Mm........ I have to make one of these for my Cornish Cormorant. Like you I have never sewn but you have shown the way!

[@paulgoodwin1201]

It may have taken weeks ,but it's homemade.i remember doing the same thing years ago .wot satisfaction when it finished

[@jameshewitt7000]

One of the small joys in my life is watching people who are masters of their craft. Although I am not a sailor. you are certainly a master. I find your videos very calming. Thank you.

[@kayzenjenkins9775]

Love your videos and the fact that you stick to old school stuff... not many people do so nowadays. Love your soundtrack song a lot. Keep it up!!

[@MilesCobbett]

If I remember correctly my mom put the unbleached muslin I had picked out to make my Sabot sail directly in her washing machine to get the cloth to shrink to its size before she made the sail. PS most Sabots have a mast 13.5 feet tall and 35 sq feet of sail area. When My dad found a pal that cleaned swimming pools that had extra alum poles the one I picked out for my mast was 17 feet tall. I saw no reason to cut down that beatiful length and we ended up having 78 sq feet of sail. Needless to add we had the fastest Sabot around, it even required hiking out. We could even beat a catamaran in light winds :) fun memories. Thanks for reminding me of them.

[@_dev0chk4_]

Very I love your videos, I'm still in a good mood after watching them! thanks a lot

[@simonsargent9514]

Lovely video, as they all are xx

[@michaelfk2548]

Not too shabby !

[@paullaviolette2610]

I have a little 16 foot sloop with a cozy little cabin but I was considering a boom tent. You always look so comfortable inside I might just do it for a more cozy time when a long stay at an anchorage. And once again I love watching your videos they sooth my sole. A much needed remedy to escape the modern world. Please keep them coming. Thanks from British Columbia

[@SirPrancelot1]

Ventile, it's the dog's.........May it bring you many happy, dry years Roger. Thanks for all of your videos.

[@scottengh1175]

I knew the history of Ventile! I have some clothes by Willis and Geiger. They made clothes for lots of exploration for years. Nice material. USA used the material for WWII pilots, too. I talked to some of the pilots and they were not aware of how great the material was. Beautiful boat. Nice cover.

[@neilsutherland3301]

Fair play to you. I however don't have the skills to make a tent so i just bought one for my 15'6" Clovelly Picarooner, from Italian Upholstery in Birdham, Bespoke item, they templated it and then made it in two pieces, the forward piece can be used as a windbreak and put up independently from main. It has three openings fore and aft for ease of access and cost me around £900 with a bag, so happy with it, roll on the season.

[@soupedujour]

Wonderful videoclip, Monsieur Barnes, well done on the new self-made tent cover.

[@stevecooney1361]

Love you videos, and your gorgeous boat

[@graemecook2548]

Do you think it might have helped to soak and dry the material first to shrink it before cutting it? I’m old enough to remember shrink fitting Levi jeans!

[@RogerRoving]

The fabric will shrink when wet and then expand when dry for its whole life. That’s what made things difficult.

[@graemecook2548]

Ah, I see. C’est Dommage! Interesting bit about the immersion suits. Thanks Roger, another fine video.

[@abeare9616]

@@RogerRoving that would really put me off using Ventile. Looks nice though!

[@AndyJarman]

You've need a whopping great washing machine!

[@pacoparigi2163]

@@RogerRoving MMM Really I always thought it was a one-way street that keep shrinking? It should come pre-shrunk? or the supplier should be able to give an indication of the properties, especially being that it was sooo expensive, what we used to do is cut a 1X1 meter piece wash wet dry heat cold and measure as you go to get a percentage so can adjust the pattern in the same fashion, looks like you have it sorted tho, love your videos

[@garymalm]

You are very lucky to have Gandalf there to help you. Always a delight to catch with your doings Roger. Thank you. gary in Japan

[@stevenholton438]

Fear of threading can be avoided by purchase of copious supply of the fine wired needle threaders! In addition I always tie my knots 🪢 a few more hitches so they can be trusted not to pull through. Hope this helps mate.

[@nicksullivan480]

Bravo for using Ventile! Though expensive it is a supremely simple and natural solution to waterproofing and well suited to your boat. With Ventile, the fibers swell and close up the weave when wet and let no more water in. It was used for Edmund Hillary's parka for the ascent of Everest in 53.

[@RogerRoving]

Yes, I’ll tell you how it goes…

[@alexbowie6316]

About 30 years ago Bob Church made a long fishing jacket made of Ventile. At the time it was on a price par with Barbour waxed cotton. The Ventile got heavy when wet, as did the Musto Highlander Goretex, jacket as they had polycotton outer shell. Double sided tape is what the pro uses for seams and then methods to get special folds on the seam. Not surprised at the time it took. Those jobs are like that as you learn along the way. That will be a far better boat to sleep in now and you won't roast in it at summer sun up.

[@atworldsend1]

Wow, it is going to be much nicer better waking up to that warm color in the morning.

[@captainhml3868]

Yes, there is. Take the end/ends of the thread and wet two fingers and make a ball/knot at the end.

[@robinengland5799]

You sure lead an interesting life! Enjoy your videos very much, wish I could be out dingy crusing!

[@RogerRoving]

Thanks for watching!

[@SuperBullyone]

I enjoy Rogers appreciation for and application of "tried and true" techniques and products. It is very satisfying.

[@janebaker966]

That was a lovely film. Beautiful river or sea place at the end. I don't care a fig about boat building but your voice is so mellow and mellifluous it just makes it seem all is well with the world. An aura of calm exudes from all your films. I love them but I never go in the water. You made a good job of that tent. Great idea to source the absolute best material as it will last for years.

[@RogerRoving]

Thank you Jane.

[@vernbower]

Congrats, on yer tent, Roger. You did a right proper job of puttin' a new bonnet on yer lass. She looks elegant steadfast, against any weather, giving you a secure place to rest yer head. Thanks for the videos. I'm a dry-lander from Michigan with a never fulfilled desire for waterway travel. God bless, ya, Mate. May moderate breezes and soft seas be with ya.

[@jimmysails994]

Bravo! Looks awesome. With that skill, you could sew your own sails. Cheers.

[@katej3z715]

It looks much more comfortable, courtesy of more head room. It looks good, too, and proves that where there is utter determination, a way will be found with a few tweaks. I once made a pair of boy's pyjamas (Ninja turtles, don't ask!) using a worn out pair as a pattern. It is a tribute to Singer machines that they scarcely flinch. The cover looks really smart. Brilliant vlog.

[@bakerjmark]

I was just wondering about what ever happened to the project to rebuild the boat cover and there was your new video. Very nice work and it will help me with my future cover project (I'm still building the boat!) It is interesting what you said about the cost of materials and doing it yourself versus paying some one to make it for you. I think you have to enjoy the work and the journey. You had set backs but over came them. You must feel happy in the end. Thanks for sharing Roger!

[@jamesvan-lint7351]

Thanks Roger, another lovely interesting film. If its any comfort to you I started making my tent for my wanderer last easter and I still haven't finished it 😆. I broke my daughters sewing machine and am now sewing whats left by hand ! I doubled my thread knotted at one end and as well as adding strength does stop the annoyance of the thread slipping through the needle, as you encountered yourself ! Thanks again, I hope you love your new tent and you made it yourself !

[@bobcollard11]

Double your thread and tie a knot with the two ends together, making a heavier thread and it will not come out of the eye of the needle. Washing the canvas in hot water and using a dryer will preshrink it before cutting to sew it. Sorry hindsight is 20:20.

[@taffrat3826]

Great vid MrB and good work on that cover. Shrinkage in the cold is always an issue... Cheers.

[@duanegregg6222]

Well done Roger, enjoy your shows…. !!!!

[@calypso22]

Excellent work there, Roger. Great editing and music too. Always brings my blood pressure right down. :)

[@kevinperryman9149]

what a great project completed ,im just looking at getting my first small craft ,an original wooden clinker which needs a fair bit of work....i couldnt walk away and leave it to rot away ....watching your videos just underlined my own rescue mission .Keep them coming Rodger never realised the adventures with small craft to be had .

[@brucebaldy]

Well, Roger dodger, if you use thread with a knotted loop it will stay threaded. I found Shoe Goo a sneaker repair in a tube very useful for affixing heavy materials instead of sewing, it is waterproof annd fairly buoyant lasts quite a long time (I break needles) so I like it. Nice you done.,

[@brianinbrisbane6632]

Well done. Interesting facts there about Chorley. I worked up there for a while on the buses in 2000 to 2001 but never heard of that material.

[@andypandy955]

Great work Roger just a thought would it be better to preshrink the material before making the cover? I repaired a canvas kayak using a material glue called Bish's original tear mender it is an unbelievable product which is made in the US. It is waterproof and can be hot washed and is non toxic too. Once glued you will never pull it apart you will tear the material first. Thanks for making the vlog happy sailing.

[@leuvenisaplace]

"Did he pre-wash the fabric?" was the comment from sewing expert here, who was particularly impressed with the old Singer machine. Nice video!

[@latesailor1350]

Beautiful job Roger. Tent looks fantastic! Please take us along for a camping trip soon, especially if it’s supposed to rain! Ha ha. I was so excited to see the notification for this new video!!!

[@marcelooscarreinoso923]

Hi Roger, nice to see your dedication, at a simple matter and a nice boat.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I know nothing about boats. I have no interest in boats and yet here I am! My father used to make all sorts of things on his old Singer sewing machine.

[@toddstevens6608]

I enjoy your work so darn much, Roger. Thanks for all the hard work you put into your production quality.

[@ИльяСергеевич-д5н]

Спасибо! Вы вдохновляете.

[@johnvititoe6051]

Amazing! I know you are pleased. It’s beautiful and functional. What more could one want?

[@Jmmondeau]

That’s a beautiful cover Roger but that cold rainy weather makes me love my fiberglass enclosure on my little Aquarius 21. Cheers

[@RogerRoving]

And it’s more comfortable in a caravan than a mountain tent. But…

[@neild735]

Well done, Roger! My wife has (and uses) a Singer machine of a slightly older vintage. They're sturdily built and get the job done, as you've shown. I admire the use of a natural fabric, however trying you may have found its properties. The next one will go much more smoothly I'm sure. :-)

[@trosmeneth]

Proper job Roger. Patience that passeth mans' understanding. A lovely reminder that spring is not too far away. Thank you.

[@alvee264]

Great job

[@AndyJarman]

I think I'll resort to some lacing for jouning the front doors so I can adjust the tension.

[@nicksalt4346]

Hi Roger, I really enjoy your videos, thanks so much for making the effort to document your adventures, and the associated preparation and fettling is equally interesting. 👍

[@redjacc7581]

nice one RB.

[@jctothel]

Ahh thanks so much Roger! What a treat. This has made my fucking day!

[@AndyJarman]

This has taught me the difference between realism and romanticism. There has to be a fabric that has the appeal of cotton and the practicality of synthetics!

[@pete.b4197]

Good job,Kapitan!! Beauty cover!!👌👍☺️😇✌️

[@chrisleggatt3240]

Lovely tent! Thankyou for the video

[@barryconway]

Shrinkage: hmm, I wish I'd known that before I started... (o: Fascinating- and, as a watcher, relaxing! Thanks for making and sharing.

[@1000monograms]

Super classy - to have a tent made out of ventile cotton. Maybe even luxurious one, I'd say :) Lovely video, very entertaining one and not overly instructive - I like it a lot.

[@gaetanroudaut6155]

Beau travail merci pour vos videos

[@cjcurryjr]

I love going with you on these thoughtful travels Roger. Thank you.

[@MrBrianc1975]

I'd say it turned out very well. Looked difficult to work out. Great video.

[@bsdtec814]

with the needle use double the amount of thread, thread the niddle and move it to the middle, tie the loose ends together in a knot.... proceed to sow. Doesn't fall out, and you can thread it back on itself every 10 or so stitches to stop rip if it comes undone futher up. The double thread also make it excellent to box stitch.....

[@billhayward1585]

Really enjoyed your new boat cover episode. I wish you had done it last year. I was contemplating making a new top for my pedal boat. I even went as far as buying a Sail rite sail makes sewing machine. I think I was more intimated by the machine than the sewing. I chickened out and got a real canvas worker to make the top. I think you were very brave tackling your cover. Great Show. ps, my Father showed me how to do basic sewing when I was a kid. He learned in the Royal Navy ( pre WW 2)at Dartmouth. That generation could do almost anything.

[@guyfitter3006]

Bravo Roger, exquisite art and production. A wonderful story to watch. Thank you

[@colinunderdown1758]

Well done Roger, it looks grand. I should imagine that you are becoming quite a character now in Douarnenez and have a following there as you do on KZbin. Hope to get back over your way soon and perhaps meet up again. Fair winds.

[@barrysherwood5089]

think there is a boom tent in my future - more details re patterning and attaching the ties would be much appreciated - enjoy your vids plse keep them coming

[@RogerRoving]

I will do a video this winter about my thoughts after a season using the new tent. Promise!

[@jamescrego5904]

It's all about the journey Roger!⛵🇺🇸

[@WiltshireMan]

Great job Roger. Hopefully that new Ventile cover will last another 15 years. I wonder what the world will be like in 15 years?

[@ИльяСергеевич-д5н]

thank you! You inspire.

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

A daunting task, nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

[@spellmadam2947]

I loved this. Take a bow sir. Job well done.

[@proutsos]

Loved the scale ruler! Tools of the trade... the other one!

[@josephblansjaar5871]

good job and I think you're going to enjoy using it. Cheers

[@davidtilley2168]

Really enjoyed this video (as usual). Bought a sewing machine and talked my wife into making a new boom bag and binnacle cover for our cruising yacht last year so watching a fellow novice coping with these new skills was a great treat

[@jimbojet8728]

It’s not the cost, it’s all about learning to sew, making your own repairs, knowing your boat etc? Personally, I’d have bought a cover. I recently bought a one person tent, lightweight, for bike packing. Cost £400, but it is expertly made from the best materials and comes with a warranty. That’ll do me.

[@briggspayer42]

That is a sharp looking boat tent Roger - I think you are overly modest about your skills! Love the warm light it gives inside the boat. Perhaps next time consider leaving the bolt of fabric unrolled outside in a storm with a few bricks or rocks before you measure, cut and stitch. Natural fabrics tend to shrink and 'fill in.'

[@christopherpeterson1400]

Hello from SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA ,, always love your videos,, hey we got a bunch of water up here in the pacific northwest ,, some day I hope to see you up here sailing along in a dinghy.

[@clivegreenall309]

Good Day Roger, Thank you for the new video, which I'm enjoying as usual. Hats off to you for the new boat tent. Your patience and persistence is a great example. Here's wishing you many more years of great sailing and boat camping. Regards from S Africa

[@AndyJarman]

Lesson 1. Find somewhere out of the wind and rain to meaure and fit your prototype. Lesson 2. Test shrinkage on a sample of known dimensions.

[@ffaubert1]

Thank you Roger for another great video.

[@DavidWing]

Thanks for this Roger...very good. I'll be watching it a lot when I get around to building my Navigator

[@gregsmith7142]

You earned that tent, Roger! Another beautiful and instructive film. Thank you for not forgetting to sail, at the end.

[@plymouthwelshboy]

Very good. Always great joy to be had in making your own things. Very professional and informative. Thanks for taking the time to show us how it should be done

[@andypennybrown6848]

Well done Roger, As they said at my school 'try, try, again until you succeed ' the philosophy seems to work! It seems to me these yacht tailors are worth their salt ;- )

[@johnstephen2869]

Thank you Roger for that and a job well done. I love the colour and the fabric, it goes with the classic authentic dinghy. It's funny seeing the frost from a very warm summer in NZ, but lovely to see you again Roger.

[@spencero1906]

Fantastic...great job, really appreciate that you had not done any sewing or tent making in the past...and look at the result. Well done!

[@markcourtney7251]

Brilliant Roger! Love your videos, you helped me through the original lockdown and I have been following you ever since! Please keep making them!

[@robertseaman2254]

Well done Roger you are inspirational .and the sewing is always harder than you think.just love the port you now live in.