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So my idea on my DIY Tarp is to have the seams run vertical instead of along the ridge line. This would allow me to make the ultimate winter tarp, so that I could stand up in the tarp and not have to be hunched over.
Has anyone tried this and would there to much stress on the vertical seams?
My Kelty 12' has seams that run on a diagonal. It is a huge tarp and therein lies the rub. Huge = heavy depending on the material you use. I don't know why type of seams they use but I've had it in some pretty good winds and it's still in perfect shape.
If weight isn't a concern I say go for it.
To your point about being able to stand up and use it in winter... the weather might dictate that you pitch your tarp close to the ground which might negate the height. If you do pitch it high enough, wind and any other elements - rain and/or snow - might blow under your tarp and on to you/your gear. If you combine these two - adding enough height to stand up in and be able to pitch it close to the ground, you're going to have a palace! I'd like to see that thing. Again, if weight isn't a concern, no reason it can't be done. I hope others will weigh in about the stress on the seams.
re: vertical seams....
I'm not a designer by any stretch but I know fabrics pretty well. The bigger the expanse of unseamed material the tighter you can stretch the tarp. A well made flat-felled or folded french seam would withstand the stresses just fine. But you will not get as tight a pitch with vertical seams that break up the area. If tightness is not an issue to you then there is no reason not to do it. But in the snow you can get accumulations that may weigh the tarp down in places and cause sagging that you would not experience with a more tightly stretched tarp.
Give it a try... but I would not sink major bucks into the sil or cuben until I'd seen how a prototype behaves in the field.
For what it's worth, my OES 12x10 is 60 inches tall. That's 5 feet from ground to ridgeline.
I've had it pitched with stakes directly in the corners (no guy lines whatsoever), and the thing was still tall enough for me to stand up pretty well (I'm 6'1'').
If you were to raise it up even just a foot off the ground you'd be able to stand straight up no issues and still have a really nice wind/snow break all around IMHO.
YMMV
I'd be interested to see how this would turn out though.
I have a superfly and love it, but with the winds here in west texas I need something to go all the way to the ground or I will wake up in the morning covered in durt :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tendertoe
Well, like most things in Texas, bigger = better! :jj:Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonb986
I made a few tarps from an old sail (silnylon).. it has seams all over it .. I've had my 9'x11' up for the past 8 days/nights ... as well as using it hiking {Syb thought it was a Kelty} ... I have had no problems at all with it .. had some gusts this week 10-15mph .. with a cold front (50*F..hey it's Fla..) coming in today with gust to 30mph ... it'll remain pitched .. just to see what happens .. I concur with Syb .. prototype with something inexpensive .. but go for it ...
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...p402_thumb.jpg
My 8x10 has vertical seams - following the directions in Ed Speer Hammock Camping book. Its on its third year and I have had no problems with it.
Etowah outfitters tarps are made like this.
as are Oware Tarps - they have the seams running across the ridgeline