Coyote Brown, anyone? HH Sil Hex Tarp

[BillyBob58]

I would surely love to do that, if I was brave enough. Maybe I will tackle something like that soon. Certainly this tarp is big enough to sustain an alteration like that and still have plenty left over. I wonder if a cat cut on the side tie out area would be enough, or if you would need one on the hex cut ends also, to get most of the benefits?

[FanaticFringer]

I would surely love to do that, if I was brave enough. Maybe I will tackle something like that soon. Certainly this tarp is big enough to sustain an alteration like that and still have plenty left over. I wonder if a cat cut on the side tie out area would be enough, or if you would need one on the hex cut ends also, to get most of the benefits?

I'd just cat cut the bottom sides myself.

[Cuffs]

(Showing my lack of tarp knowledge) What is the benefit of that cat-cut?

[Cannibal]

(Showing my lack of tarp knowledge) What is the benefit of that cat-cut?

Much easier to get, and keep, a taut pitch.

[FanaticFringer]

(Showing my lack of tarp knowledge) What is the benefit of that cat-cut?

From Just Jeff's site:Catenary tarps utilize curved seams to reduce the extra material in a tarp that causes it to sag and flap in the wind. Basically, think of a rectangle, then draw a slight curve along the ridgeline and long edges, and remove the material inside the curve. Catenary hex tarps also have "cat cuts" along the short edges. Brian MacMillin makes and sells the popular MacCat tarp.

[Cuffs]

Thanks guys! I know what the cut is/looks like, I was just unsure of the benefit of that vs. straight line cut.

[Take-a-knee]

Thanks guys! I know what the cut is/looks like, I was just unsure of the benefit of that vs. straight line cut.

I used to think the difference was overblown until I compared a stock Hennessy tarp to a Macat in a 15-20 mph wind, my daughter was using the stock tarp and the edge of the tarp flapping kept waking her up all night, I could hear it from my setup. She now owns a Macat.

[BillyBob58]

I got out for a hike yesterday, so I took the new tarp and my huge, extra long net-less Safari.


I gave it a fairly wide pitch and hung the Safari underneath, and pulled the hammock side guy outs wide and tight.


I thought coverage was adequate even with this large hammock, lots of sag and a wide, open pitch for standing height. My main trouble was getting into the hammock before the 10 sec self timer would fire. I had to undo the side guy outs and get them out of my way to almost give me enough time.


I pitched it here with a bit more of a storm pitch. I should have used my Explorer, which would have given even more coverage and would be more like most folks would experience.




Also, I was pleased with the tarp's pitch, really pretty tight. It was pretty windy, but it seemed ok. Not exactly a MacCat, but it seemed much more stable than my stock asym tarp. I guess the 2 extra tie outs make that possible. I also got to wondering if some grip clips and a couple of extra pull outs would increase wind stability even more?