sportman's guide tarp

**ozarkjeep** · 09-10-2007, 08:34

I was thinking of doing something VERY similar!

thanks for the idea!

I have one general question about this tarp ( I have the 9x9)
do yall run a ridge line UNDER the tarp, or just pull the tarp itself tight enough?

Im having a hard time getting it to stayed tied with much wind at all.

In a storm the other night, it blew off, and the next morning I found it almost 60 yards thru the woods.

hehe

**FanaticFringer** · 09-10-2007, 08:46

Most dont use a ridgeline. With the right knot or figure 9's, it should stay taught on the tree and give you no problems. If you convert it to a cat cut, you would be able to hang it even closer to your hammock during bad weather and this would help also.

Originally Posted by ozarkjeep

I was thinking of doing something VERY similar!

thanks for the idea!

I have one general question about this tarp ( I have the 9x9)
do yall run a ridge line UNDER the tarp, or just pull the tarp itself tight enough?

Im having a hard time getting it to stayed tied with much wind at all.

In a storm the other night, it blew off, and the next morning I found it almost 60 yards thru the woods.

hehe

**headchange4u** · 09-10-2007, 10:20

That looks great Coldspring. I'm gonna have to put that on my list of thing to do.

Is that the 9x9 version?

**Grinder** · 09-10-2007, 10:46

I LIKE it!!

I have tied off using the two sewn in loops away next to the corner to achieve somewhat the same effect.

tom

**stoikurt** · 09-10-2007, 16:15

I agree with teblum, you can stake it down using the already sewn in loops away from the corner, you'll just have a little triangle of material flopping around.

I, too, like what Coldspring has done and may consider doing that to my 9X9 SG. My guess is he cut the curve where he did because that's where the loops were already sewn in, that way you don't have to sew on new loops also.

**Coldspring** · 09-10-2007, 22:32

My main rationale for using the existing loops instead of cutting on up to above that seam is that it was easy, and I was lucky to talk someone into sewing what they did. I also think that leaving that seam on the tarp would make it stronger, but that's just a guess.

My tarp is the 9X9. I don't use a ridgeline on the tarp, but I've only slept under it once. I don't see any reason for one. I think I may reinforce the tie outs eventually though, if I ever do use it under high winds it might be an issue. If anyone else cuts their tarp, you might want to look at how close the cat curve gets to that tie out on mine. I would not make the curve as deep as mine.

I never did take my tarp down. It's raining outside and been a bit windy out. Hopefully, it'll still be there in the morning, with a dry spot underneath.

**Coldspring** · 09-24-2007, 22:27

I was wondering if anyone else had went and cut their Guide Gear tarp yet? I finally took mine out for a real world test. Didn't get much wind, so I don't guess it counts though. One thing I did notice, about the way I cut it, is that if a person wanted to tie both side strings to a single point, at a bit of a distance, it would still make for a fairly taught tarp. Also, since I used two different curves, I think the side with the more extreme cat-cut side (like the one pictured) worked better.

**stoikurt** · 09-25-2007, 10:17

That's a nice job, Coldspring. And your point about tying to a single point is good as long as that single point is farther out than the original corner of the tarp. If you tie to a single point closer than the original corner you will get some sag or wrinkle on that new cat cut edge you did.

**Doctari** · 09-26-2007, 07:49

I have been thinking of getting a 12 x 12 & cutting it into a MacCat type.

I have the 9by, & most times that is huge, but there are times (I feel) where the angles are too sharp. SOOO, my plan is to make the ridgeline of the 12by the same as the 9by but,,,, well, you know, "Like a MacCat" but camo.

My thought is to use the 9by (& a black marker) as a pattern for the Cant cuts. & as I'm cutting them off anyway, I'll use the included loops just in different places, possibly with the cut off nylon as re-enforcement at the 6 tie points.

BTW:
Good job coldspring!

Doctari.