help with tarp

[evman]

howdy yall, long time no see, any way. I'm 17yrs old, i sold a scooter not to long ago for 180$, since then i bought a 0 degree bag, a pad, and three failed attempts at a tarp. the first attempt was a piece of tyvek, it ripped in half, then i bought an sol brand sport utility blanket, fail, then i bought two emergency blankets and taped them together, it ripped, what more in options do i have? my hammock's stock tarp is about 10' by 4', its a pos. any ideas on what i could do?

[pgibson]

You could try buying a tarp made for hammock camping

Being on a tight budget you can get one of the big blue poly tarps from the hardware store will do in the short term but plan to replace it after a few trips and plan for a good bit of weight and bulk. Moving up in cost there are some chines made sil tarps available from Campmore from time to time around $50 that will be ok, but count on grommets around the edges that will eventually pull out. Then you step up to things like the guide gear tarps, agian more weight but a better built tarp. Then for around $100 you get into quality built tarps made for hammock camping by the cottage vendors here. They will cost more but weigh less and be built better. There are a number of us and a variety of shapes, sizes, colors......so on and so forth.

At 17 your on the cusp of starting to learn that you will get what you pay for. Plastic and tyvek are cheap but not made for the use you applied them to...so you got very little for what you paid. Make an investment in your gear and you will get years of us.

[evman]

ooh, ouch. i figured i could at least have one hobby on the cheap, evidently that is not the case, I've already given up dirt bikes, cycling, and sailing. looks like hammocking/backpacking have to go to.

[cataraftgirl]

ooh, ouch. i figured i could at least have one hobby on the cheap, evidently that is not the case, I've already given up dirt bikes, cycling, and sailing. looks like hammocking/backpacking have to go to.

Don't give up. It can be done on a budget. AHE and Wilderness Logics make great tarps in the $85-$95 range. You could also go with a Kelty Noah 9X9 for around $60. Lots of folks use the 9X9 and 12X12 Kelty Noah tarps. Keep your eye on the For Sale forum. A used Guide Gear tarp that needed a little TLC just sold for $27.

[Shug]

ooh, ouch. i figured i could at least have one hobby on the cheap, evidently that is not the case, I've already given up dirt bikes, cycling, and sailing. looks like hammocking/backpacking have to go to.

You can get a 9x12 blue plastic tarp for $15....http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
Get some cord and go hit the woods. We always did in our youth.
Don't let all the thoughts of the "new gear" make you give this up)))))))
Kind like fishing.....I see folks who give it up because they don't have a boat. We used ti get a cane pole and bobber and sit on the bank (old school for sure) and I still prefer that.
Hope to still get out and go.

Shug

[dirtwheels]

Gave up dirt bikes! I'm an pushing 50 and looking for my next racing three wheeler, you're too old to give up stuff like that!! You could at least mountain bike! I couldn't imagine not playing in the dirt.....that'd be ......, yeah, I just don't want to think about that.

Come on dude, you're 17, cowboy up! You ain't gotta have cuben fiber gear, you're young an oughta be able to carry heavy stuff,,,and maybe less beer!

ooh, ouch. i figured i could at least have one hobby on the cheap, evidently that is not the case, I've already given up dirt bikes, cycling, and sailing. looks like hammocking/backpacking have to go to.

[evman]

Gave up dirt bikes! I'm an pushing 50 and looking for my next racing three wheeler, you're too old to give up stuff like that!! You could at least mountain bike! I couldn't imagine not playing in the dirt.....that'd be ......, yeah, I just don't want to think about that.

Come on dude, you're 17, cowboy up! You ain't gotta have cuben fiber gear, you're young an oughta be able to carry heavy stuff,,,and maybe less beer!

well, not to get too much into my personal story but, my parents split up 5 years ago, my father has essentially made it clear he doesn't want anything to do with me. He stole my kx250, so i bought an older yamaha it, had to sell it because gas is expensive and minimum wage doesn't quite pay the bills, I would ride mtb but thats an initial 300$ investment i cant make. I would use a blue tarp but i need small pack down, my bag is small, lol Edit: what kinda trike do you ride?

[dirtwheels]

well, not to get too much into my personal story but, my parents split up 5 years ago, my father has essentially made it clear he doesn't want anything to do with me. He stole my kx250, so i bought an older yamaha it, had to sell it because gas is expensive and minimum wage doesn't quite pay the bills, I would ride mtb but thats an initial 300$ investment i cant make. I would use a blue tarp but i need small pack down, my bag is small, lol Edit: what kinda trike do you ride?

WOW, I had my share of family drama as well, I went to 3 different high schools! Two in VA an hour apart, and one in AR! My dad didn't steal my bikes, but after complaining about my 1972 Blazer that I couldn't repair one too many time I came home to find it gone! He'd sold it! And gave me a portion of the proceeds! Smacked me with a little dose of watch my mouth!

Anyway I used to race ATC 200X's back in the '80's, yes I'm old! Now I have a Honda 400EX, and hope to find a cherry '86 ATC 350X, the 4 wheels just ain't as stable as the 3's if ya' know what you're doing! The 4 wheels were to teach my daughter how to ride since my wife didn't want her baby girl learning on 3's! I have a vintage mountain cycle san-andreas full squish and a newer Specialized 29er hard tail that I ride more than the ATV. I live just south of Charlotte, and we have about 100 miles of great single track.

I'm a newbie at hammocking, but am wondering if the rain fly on used tents would make a worthy tarp for a hammock? I've had several cheap dome tents way back in the day, and the rain fly's were removable! Just wondering???

Get your education in whatever you're really interested in, pay cash for everything, stay out of debt, and your toy box can easily dwarf mine! After all this IS AMERICA! And you're just a kid! Your life's yours to make whatever you choose out of it, enjoy the ride, you only get one turn!

[evman]

WOW, I had my share of family drama as well, I went to 3 different high schools! Two in VA an hour apart, and one in AR! My dad didn't steal my bikes, but after complaining about my 1972 Blazer that I couldn't repair one too many time I came home to find it gone! He'd sold it! And gave me a portion of the proceeds! Smacked me with a little dose of watch my mouth!

Anyway I used to race ATC 200X's back in the '80's, yes I'm old! Now I have a Honda 400EX, and hope to find a cherry '86 ATC 350X, the 4 wheels just ain't as stable as the 3's if ya' know what you're doing! The 4 wheels were to teach my daughter how to ride since my wife didn't want her baby girl learning on 3's! I have a vintage mountain cycle san-andreas full squish and a newer Specialized 29er hard tail that I ride more than the ATV. I live just south of Charlotte, and we have about 100 miles of great single track.

I'm a newbie at hammocking, but am wondering if the rain fly on used tents would make a worthy tarp for a hammock? I've had several cheap dome tents way back in the day, and the rain fly's were removable! Just wondering???

Get your education in whatever you're really interested in, pay cash for everything, stay out of debt, and your toy box can easily dwarf mine! After all this IS AMERICA! And you're just a kid! Your life's yours to make whatever you choose out of it, enjoy the ride, you only get one turn!

lol, my first bike was a honda 90, ran like crap and i couldn't fix anything at 6yrs old, after pouting too much grandpa took it, fixed it, rode it down the rode and told me he sold it. i found the rainfly on tents sags ALOT when hung up

[gmcttr]

Another choice...http://hennessyhammock.com/catalog/p...70d_polyester/