Summer tarp

I wanted to come up with a tarp that uses very little material, weighs less than 10 ounces and provides enough coverage for my WBBB. So, I cranked up the drawing program and came up with a hex style tarp that measures 121" on the ridgeline and is 96" wide. Total weight so far is 8.9 ounces. I still have to finish the edges and do some better work on my seams. The tarp only uses 4 1/3 yd of material. The lower seams are french seams. I didn't do a very good job on those and if I were to do it again, I would choose a different type seam. There is no ridgeline seam at all only the lower seams on each side.

I also hooked up my Potomac KAQ and can see where some minor changes could be made to make this work on the BB. I used a couple of biners and a GripClip to attach the sides to the BB. I was warm and toasty all night although there was no UQ under the footbox.

Here's a couple of photos. The rest of them are here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mrprez/K...eat=directlink

I have no intention of getting into the tarp making business. Working with silnylon on a full time basis would probably be then end of me! Kudos to Brian at OES and other tarp makers, they must have the patience of saints.

A short, fat standard....nice!
The extra 4" on the ridgeline the standard gives may be the difference if you don't feel you're getting adequate coverage. The MacCat standard I have just fits my BB. I think if you add those inches, you'll be very pleased with the coverage.

Very nice build!

Thaks, I'll have to take a look at doing that. The one thing I wasn't sure about was the best angle to install the lower tie out loops. I ended up putting them on an angle towards the center of the tarp. I plan to add grosgrain around the edges hoping that will give me a bit more tension on the edges. As for the BB, I am going to add end covers to that which will protect the hammock more. Plus it will dress that up a bit.

I like that MrPrez.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mrprez

Kudos to Brian at OES and other tarp makers, they must have the patience of saints.

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And you, my friend, have the patience of a saint for working with insulation. :)

Looks good. I had a go with a summer tarp. Made it just a little too small for my taste. Ended up trying 4x12 feet. Good against dew, but I like something bigger for the rains.

I also tried making a tarp, 11x11 That silnylon really has a mean streak in it, every time I looked away, it got up and tried to slide off my sewing table. I'm still tweeking that tarp, I think I need to add a ridge line through the middle for more support.
Mrprez: Your's looks fantastic set up. Did you add shockcord to the guy lines??

I guess I am the odd one here, don't worry I'm used to it by know. But I prefer sil to DWR or untreated anyday. No fraying or melting the edges to worry about. I hate that step.