How much MacCat Tarp is enough?

**Egads** · 12-17-2006, 16:34

I've been waiting to order a MacCat Tarp, and Brian will have them back on the market in January.

How much tarp do I need for a HH BPUL?

Is the micro tarp for 3 seasons only, or is it deep enough to provide full protection of underquilts & block the wind in winter? Or do I need a regular size for winter?

Or maybe both?

Egads

**Peter_pan** · 12-17-2006, 17:44

Recommend the regular size.... Mother nature can get real mean and ugly anytime...having good basic coverage makes sense...couple oz is worth it here... just my $0.02.

Pan

**Coffee** · 12-17-2006, 22:47

I have the deluxe and love the coverage. If you do not mind a couple more oz or dollars I recommend this one. I was looking at the micro size a while back, when I looked at the dimension on a tape measure it is smaller than I thought.

**jlb2012** · 12-18-2006, 08:51

I have the Titan with an Explorer Deluxe HH - gives me what I want - the ability to hang gear from the hammock support ropes and still have it out of the rain - also great for having a few people sit under while raining.

**txulrich** · 12-18-2006, 09:47

I have the DeLuxe That I use with my HH Explorer. It leaves about 18" of tarp on either end. Plenty of tarp for me to not worry about the weather.

**Certain** · 12-18-2006, 15:09

Hi Egads,

I have far less experience than some people here, but I think it's a good idea to consider the conditions you expect to go through and how long you might be in those conditions. If I were still living in Hawaii...I'd say give me the smallest piece of material that still counted as a tarp. But, I'm hiking the AT next year and know I'll be experiencing wind/rain/storms/snow/COLD, so I wanted to have as much coverage as possible. I've got the MacCat Deluxe too, and am extremely pleased with it. If it's nice out...I just unhook one side and flip it over and then I can see the stars. I have a HH ULBA by the way. Good luck and have fun shopping!

**Brian** · 12-19-2006, 09:44

Egads, just a little interlude:

The micro was definately designed for 3 season use, and it provides better protection (mainly on the ends) than the stock HH tarp, but overall, the width is not that much greater than the tarp that comes with the hammock, due the width of the fabric constraining that dimension. With an underquilt, or prolonged cold, wet, windy weather (don't you love the East Coast?), I would not recommend it.

You should have no problems with the Standard (what I use 100% of the time), or the Deluxe as several have mentioned.

Brian
OES

**Ewker** · 12-26-2006, 20:54

just an FYI http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/ is back open

**Egads** · 12-26-2006, 22:12

Thanks for the help.

I ordered a standard size tarp last night.

Egads

**Touch of Grey** · 12-27-2006, 05:57

Here is a photo of my setup of a Mac Cat Standard and an HH Explorer. It gives me about 6 inches on either end of coverage. Pulled down properly that is enough extra civerage for me over the standard HH tarp that came with it.

TOG