I used a HH hex which has a 10 ft ridgeline for a while and it worked very well for my BB. I now have a AHE Toxaway tarp with a 12 ft ridge. I think thats about as big as you want to go. I know I have to get trees about 13 feet apart to get this hung tight. I also set it up with an adjustable ridgeline with prussics so I can slide the ridge around to center the tarp above the hammock. The hex style with 4 tie outs is the way to go for good general coverage.
I've found that the more you go out, the easier the solution you find. I have my tarp over the ridgeline for more structural security, so I just unclip the prussics and slide it all to the middle like a concertina. then undo the one end (siberian hitch) and wrap that length of ridge around one end of the tarp, then wind and walk with the other end to the other tree and undo the other end. When you come to pitch again you just do it in reverse - all very very easy.
Here in the UK the weather is so **** changeable that we can't dispense with the tarp even in nice weather due to moisture and dew etc. At the weekend in Scotland it was blue sky and calm all day, then heavy rain and high winds overnight, then blue sky and peace again.
10.5 to 11' ridgeline will cover you nicely if u want to reduce the 14'.
I like the hex tarp for normal weather/ un-certain weather. For high pressure and clear skies, I carry my DIY diamond tarp. 2 stakes, minimal but adequate coverage. (see my diamond tarp review thread).
One thing that's makes all tarps manageable is snake skins. I can quickly hang and center the tarp while skinned and stake it out later if I want/need to.
i often play the guessing game to simply avoid hanging my tarp with 4 tiedowns. no wonder you are hating it. you probably have 4x the amount. as others have suggested, a simple hex tarp will make your life so much simpler.
warbonnet and oes are the big guns as far as i'm concerned. jacksrbetter, gargoylegear and arrowheadequipment make some as well
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