[Paddlewise] Seam Sealing & tent choices

Dirk asked:

> Shouldn't it be possible for tentmakers to design and make tents
> that are waterproof (enough) without the user being forced to
> seal the tent themselves?

It comes down to the cost of the technology. The only way to make a
really waterproof seam is to apply a sealer by hand or cover it with
tape using a machine. The machines that apply tape are expensive, so at
first it was only the largest makers (like Eureka) and the premium tent
makers who could afford to do it.

I think I posted a few thoughts on tent choices last year, but some of
them bear repeating:

1. Don't bother with tents that use fiberglass poles,no matter how cheap
they are. The poles are heavy and flop around when you're trying to put
up a tent in darkness or weather. Anodized aluminum poles are the way to
go.

2. Clips are superior to sleeves for ease of use when attaching the tent
to poles. Feeding four poles through interrupted sleeves can be
difficult and confusing. Sleeves distribute loads better, but that's not
a factor unless you're expecting really heavy weather, in which case you
should be buying a $600-$800 4-season tent.

3. Polyester flys, unlike nylon flys, are not affected by UV and won't
disintegrate after a few seasons in the sun. (Especially important for
that paddling trip around Cape Horn.)

4. You need more room than you think. I used to think minimal-sized
tents were ideal, until I had to spend a day in one. Another 5-10 lbs of
tent buys you the ability to sit upright and move around and is just
that much more self-righting ballast!

-- mike
---------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Edelman   mje_at_spamcop.net
http://www.foldingkayaks.org (nomadics)
http://www.findascope.com (choosing a telescope)

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