What size MacCat tarp do you suggest?

**RockStar** · 03-16-2007, 01:43

What size MacCat tarp do you all suggest and why? As in Pro's cons of either size. I was thinking of ordering a Standard but, the deluxe...well is deluxe!

**blackbishop351** · 03-16-2007, 01:52

Originally Posted by RockStar

What size MacCat tarp do you all suggest and why? As in Pro's cons of either size. I was thinking of ordering a Standard but, the deluxe...well is deluxe!

I wouldn't consider anything smaller than the Deluxe, but I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to weather and coverage. My BlackCat is actually a foot longer and a foot wider (each side) than Brian's Deluxe, and it's obviously (since I designed it) what I consider ideal. But like I said, I HATE getting wet!

**sparkysko** · 03-16-2007, 01:55

I'd go with the deluxe. There's no such thing as too big of a tarp IMO.

**nigelp** · 03-16-2007, 02:35

Deluxe for me too!!

**ShakeyLeggs** · 03-16-2007, 05:03

I have the Deluxe and would not go smaller. Perfect size in my opinion. YMMV

**slowhike** · 03-16-2007, 05:53

i'm not sure what's going on w/ the mc cat tarps, but a friend ordered a delux last week.
pay pal said he would be contacted to confirm the order, but he hasn't herd anything back from brian yet. has anyone herd from brian lately?

**Egads** · 03-16-2007, 05:56

The standard works for me.

Selecting gear is the art of compromise. What is driving your decision, comfort? weight? money? Sometimes you want flexibility, so buy both the micro & the deluxe.

**Just Jeff** · 03-16-2007, 05:57

Standard is plenty big for me.

**Bird Dog** · 03-16-2007, 06:13

I have the deluxe and I love it. The deluxe is heavier than the other options, but I like having alot of coverage that allows me to do other things under the tarp if the weather is bad, such as cooking. Using my very unscientific digital fish scale, my deluxe weighs in at 15 oz which includes around 20 ft of kelty triptease line (~ 10 ft on each ridge end tie out) and 4 JRB STL's. Its weight I dont mind carrying because it equates to weather protection.

Brian is a full time college student and stays fairly busy with that. He usually always replies to orders and emails quickly, but I too have emailed him with no response. Im not exactly sure whats going on with Brian but I will try to contact him by phone to find out.

BD

**Coffee** · 03-16-2007, 09:55

I myself own and like the deluxe. Like BB I have also made my own cat tarp. But mine is only a foot longer and 6 inches wider on each side. I like it not only for the protection against rain and being able to do anything under it, but also for cold weather use in blocking the wind.

One thing I do not like about the McCat is the usable space on each end of the tarp. Because of the dimensions used and the depth of the cat cut, I think you loose about 1-1.5 ft of tarp length where the tarp is not wide enough to protect the hammock. Only important if you like a long hammock, but then again I like a long hammock. The McCat still works fine for me length wise, but I have to get it lined up in the middle.

Plus as the size of your tarp decreasing, the room for error also decreases. If you are new to hammocking or hiking I would start out with a larger tarp. To me the added protection from my own lack of still is worth 5 oz or less.