small light weight tents can be had for cheap and if you plan on staying for a while making a brush shelter over one would add more protection from storms.back in the 80's i went on two long solo canoe trips with just a tarp that i put over the canoe,Boy Scout style.by the end of the second trip,17 days,i knew i would have to invest in a good tent.bug,mice,rain,wind,dirt.i know people will say well you can set up a tarp to take care of those problems but that takes time and energy when pulling a tent from a sack and threading poles and putting in a couple wire stakes will give you a shelter ASAP.