Cockpit covering system and method for skiffs

A tent covering system for a cockpit of a boat comprising:

• a tent including four side portions, each of the tent side portions having a lower portion and wherein the tent is sized to cover an opening of the cockpit;
• a base layer attached to the lower portion of each of the tent side portions and positionable on a deck surface of the boat around the cockpit, the base layer not extending over the cockpit opening;
• a compressible sealable layer below the base layer of at least one side portion of the tent;
• a plurality of straps, each of the plurality of straps comprising first and second ends;
• the first end of each of the plurality of straps attachable to an outer perimeter of the boat;
• the second end of each of the plurality of straps attached to the tent covering system and attachable to a cockpit coupler on the cockpit;
• and
• wherein tension applied to the plurality of straps extending from the boat outer perimeter to the cockpit coupler compresses the compressible sealable layer to form a seal along a cockpit outer perimeter.

A method of attaching a tent covering system that provides a water proof seal around a cockpit of a boat comprising the following steps:

• a. providing a tent positionable on a deck around an outer perimeter of the cockpit, wherein the tent is sized to extend over a recessed area of the cockpit, the tent for forming an enclosure around an interior space that extends above a deck height of the boat and below the deck height of the boat, the tent comprising:
• a plurality of wall portions, each of the plurality of wall portions having a lower portion;
• a base layer attached to the lower portion of each of the plurality of wall portions and positionable around the outer perimeter of the cockpit;
• a compressible layer below the base layer for resting on the deck of the boat around the cockpit outer perimeter;
• a plurality of straps, each of the plurality of straps comprising first and second ends;
• the first end of each of the plurality of straps attachable to an outer perimeter of the boat;
• and
• the second end of each of the plurality of straps attached to the tent and attachable at or near the cockpit outer perimeter;
• b. attaching the first ends of the plurality of straps at the boat outer perimeter and the second ends of the plurality of straps at the cockpit outer perimeter;
• and
• c. applying tension to the plurality of straps to position the tent base layer and compressible layer on the deck near the cockpit outer perimeter, and
• to compress the compressible layer and form a bug and/or water proof seal around the cockpit.