Sail to Rottnest road test of wings on Adams 28

This is a mockup I did in preview on a previous photo of Pelagia prior to the Esperance to Albany trip.

Hi all. I now have Pelagia on her mooring in Rockingham after sailing her up from Albany. Was a great trip and averaged 6 and a bit knots for the 380 odd nms. Took 3hrs short of 3 days sailing time with a 12 hour stopover in Bunbury.
On that sail I tried out an idea I had to make the trip more comfortable and it worked far better than expected. I fixed two camping bunk beds (one on each side) to the outside of the cockpit area to act as back rests while sailing and to be lowered for extra sleeping accommodation when at anchor. My older and far more conservative brother was extremely sceptical until we tried it and now he thinks I am a genius.


This photo shows more than I could describe with a lot of confusing words. I added the sugar scoop to reflect Pelagia's addition. The parallel bunks are supported via the stanchions and the solar frame and the rear bunks are totally supported by the solar frame with bracing guys fore and aft. I tried out the parallel bunks on the Albany trip and they were fantastic so I added the two rear ones for a recent trip to Rottnest and am blown away by how well they work. We had all four used simultaneously for sleeping at anchor with all very comfortable and having a breathtaking view of a star filled sky. Magnificent. You need to add selfinflating camp mattresses as they are a little hard without them. There is no risk of falling out due to the sag and the guy ropes. We slept in sleeping bags with hoods.

Trinity on the water.

I know he should have a life jacket on.

Still gripping the tictacs. OK I know he is little and light but I had an 83kg guy sleeping very comfortably on this bunk at Rottnest




They are a big winner with Will my 10yr old

Lee side back rests

Trapezing without the wedgey. You get a great view of the boat right up to the bow and when she heels even the keel. Weather permitting.
The really exciting thing for a small boat owner is the lounging and sleeping space for next to no cost. I haven't sorted out a conopy as yet but it shouldn't be too hard to do. HG can you sort out the photo rotating for me please.
So what do you think?
A big tip, I already had my first pair from camping trips but got my second pair from gumtree for $40 it must be xmas!

Hi Josuha

There is a boat at Kettering in Tasmania that has a similar thing

Regards Don

Nice one Josh

Nice idea, but:
It looks fine for extra accomodation at anchor.
At sea, things can go wrong in an instant. Something can break, and you can suddenly find yourself with an out of control boat and a child or adult in the water, no lifejacket.

Sorry to be a downer, but we live in a risk averse world.