Best Tarp for the Blackbird?

**intheswim** · 03-08-2009, 13:54

Wow good photo, looks like a nice setup.

angrysparrow are you able to do a taught full porch (one pole on each corner) with the MC Ultra in lighter weather?

Also I wonder though why Brian made the sides shorter on the Ultra.

**angrysparrow** · 03-08-2009, 14:03

Originally Posted by piotr01

angrysparrow are you able to do a taught full porch (one pole on each corner) with the MC Ultra in lighter weather?

Yes, poles on the corners only works fine if you pull those guys nicely taught. The center guyout point itself dangles, but harmlessly so.

Originally Posted by piotr01

Also I wonder though why Brian made the sides shorter on the Ultra.

I assume for weight savings. I don't find the reduced side length to be problematic.

**GOLFER** · 03-08-2009, 14:18

not being a avid hanger yet. Let me explain my thinking when I picked one out. My thoughts were 3 season yes but with that in mind when I'm out and the occasional storm brews up I have the option to close off the ends of the tarp or at least one end if that's all that's needed. With that said I also thought what if I get some fortitude and be so inclined to give a winter hike a go. Listening to some of these guys and gals stories about winter hikes sound like they could be fun. Either way I planned for the possibility of foul weather. But that's just my opinion. Good luck with the choice but I think you'll be fine you already bought the right hammock.

TY

**Brian** · 03-08-2009, 14:44

Originally Posted by piotr01

Also I wonder though why Brian made the sides shorter on the Ultra.

Just a correction, the MacCat Deluxe and Ultra both have the same width - 52" per side for a total of 104". That was a typo on my website (now fixed). The extra length on the Ultra is the key benefit of that tarp over the Deluxe, especially for the longer hammocks now on the market.

**Take-a-knee** · 03-08-2009, 14:56

Originally Posted by Brian

Just a correction, the MacCat Deluxe and Ultra both have the same width - 52" per side for a total of 104". That was a typo on my website (now fixed). The extra length on the Ultra is the key benefit of that tarp over the Deluxe, especially for the longer hammocks now on the market.

If that is the case then the Ultra's length would be of little benefit for someone in a standard length hammock, as the Macat Deluxe is generously sized for a standard Hennessy.

**Brian** · 03-08-2009, 15:55

Originally Posted by Take-a-knee

If that is the case then the Ultra's length would be of little benefit for someone in a standard length hammock, as the Macat Deluxe is generously sized for a standard Hennessy.

Exactly. I originally designed the MacCat Ultra arond the new 10' ridgeline hammocks. For the HH ULBP and Explorer, the Deluxe works fantastically. Some people also want even more room under the hammock for rainy weather groups, and order the Ultra for that reason.

The HH Explorer Deluxe works fine with the Deluxe, although it's length can still benefit from the extended reach of the MacCat Ultra.

**intheswim** · 03-08-2009, 16:42

Originally Posted by Take-a-knee

If that is the case then the Ultra's length would be of little benefit for someone in a standard length hammock, as the Macat Deluxe is generously sized for a standard Hennessy.

I'm not sure if thats true because from what i've been reading i think the ultra is more effective with its extra length and tie out to "close the door", than on the deluxe.

Regarding the width i'm suprised no one caught that earlier...
Especially in the thread below

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...hlight=piotr01

I was having a hard time deciding between ultra and deluxe b/c i though the widths were different but now i'm pretty confident the ultra will work best for me.

**koaloha05** · 03-10-2009, 10:50

Originally Posted by piotr01

I'm not sure if thats true because from what i've been reading i think the ultra is more effective with its extra length and tie out to "close the door", than on the deluxe..

I use the Deluxe version. From the photos the Ultra looks to be the same shape as the Deluxe. Just longer at the ridgeline. Based on the shape of the tarp pulling in the corners may not result in an effective combination of space and protection from rain driving in from around the tree ends. Hopefully some Ultra users can provide some feedback regarding closing the ends of in door like fashion.

For heavy windy rain using the Deluxe I just hang everything lower and stake down the tarp to the ground. Also try to select the safest fattest trees with minimal distance between them. Orientation of your set up really makes a difference, but winds seem to always shift up here when a storm blows through.

**Rushthezeppelin** · 03-10-2009, 18:42

The ultra has 2 cat cuts on the sides with 3 tieouts a side....slightly different than the deluxe and offers more pitching options.

**lori** · 03-11-2009, 22:23

I have a 10x12 in black - for summer I am considering (because I must continue to justify MORE GEAR

) a MacCat for my Blackbird, because they are a) not black and dark inside and b) not big enough to put around my car.

I am going back and forth between the standard and the deluxe. Would the few inches difference really give me that much more coverage if it rained?