Abstract: A cockpit covering system for a small boat comprises a tent or cover comprising a plurality of wall portions and a base, and wherein the tent is sized to extend over a recessed area of a cockpit and to enclose an interior that extends from above deck height to below the height of a base layer. A compressible gasket is below the base for resting on a deck of the small boat around the cockpit outer perimeter. A plurality of webbing straps extend from the outer perimeter of the boat to the tent. A plurality of webbing straps extend from the cockpit outer perimeter to the tent covering system. Tension applied to the plurality of webbing straps compresses the compressible gasket to form a seal along a cockpit recessed area. Pole housings can be provided on webbing straps or on the tent base to secure tent poles at deck level.

Abstract: A cockpit covering system for a small boat comprises a tent or cover comprising a plurality of walls portions, each of the plurality of wall portions having a lower portion and wherein the tent is sized to extend over a recessed area of a cockpit and enclose an interior that extends from above deck height to below the height of a base layer. The base layer is attachable to the lower portion of each of the plurality of walls and positionable around the cockpit outer perimeter. A compressible gasket below the base layer rests on a deck of the small boat around the cockpit outer perimeter. A plurality of webbing straps extend from the outer perimeter of the boat to the cockpit outer perimeter and are attached to the tent covering system. Tension applied to the plurality of straps extending from the small boat outer perimeter to the cockpit outer perimeter compresses the compressible water and/or bug proofing layer to form a seal around the cockpit recessed area.