winter tarp question

**Boots13** · 10-25-2013, 12:27

So I'm starting a winter tarp using guide from backwoodsdaydreamer, but am running out of fabric. Each side is supposed to have a total length of 162" with a ridgeline of 134", but I only have enough for a total length of 156". I know that's not a big difference but my question is will that effect the ridgeline length of 134"? Will the doors still close properly? I guess I can scale back the ridgeline length as well since it'll still have full coverage. Normally I would just wing it but since this is the last of my fabric and everytime I do that I end up messing something up I figured I'd ask.

**lmoseley7** · 10-25-2013, 13:12

I looked at that guide the other day and noticed that the sides were longer than the ridge. It appeared to me that it allowed for the tarp to be pitched wider and still have the doors close and possibly have the doors more vertical. You could have a rectangle and close it off with properly placed tie outs, only when you did it would look like a hex shaped tarp from the sides. I hope this makes sense.

**VictoriaGuy** · 10-25-2013, 13:36

Originally Posted by Boots13

So I'm starting a winter tarp using guide from backwoodsdaydreamer, but am running out of fabric. Each side is supposed to have a total length of 162" with a ridgeline of 134", but I only have enough for a total length of 156".

I built that tarp last month.

Do you have enough fabric for a rectangle that's (finished to) 156" ?

You'll be trimming triangles from the ends of your cloth (to get back to the 134" ridgeline) if you are starting with squared fabric. If necessary, you can sew fabric from the 'trimmings' to extend the ends to make the extra for the doors.

I think I could have made the 'doors' i.e. the outside edges of the tarp a bit longer than the plan, and been happy. Overlapped 'doors' work fine (if you provide some loops for clipping), but a gap could let in blowing snow or rain.

My suggestion is to get some paper and cut/tape a 'scale model' of your tarp and see how the pitch angle and door overlap work. (Just print out the plan on paper and cut it out.)

You don't want to end up with a tarp that requires 'too steep' a pitch - if the hammock is touching the tarp you will end up wet from condensation/frost, and it can be difficult to enter/exit if the tarp is near the hammock.

Within reason, a bigger tarp is better IMO, so I wouldn't cut back the ridgeline if you can possibly avoid it.

Hope this helps.

**bowl-maker** · 10-25-2013, 14:11

Yeah I made that tarp last year...great tarp!

It just covers my HH Explorer...I wouldn't shorten the ridgeline length at all. I agree with VictoriaGuy that the doors could have been longer...I like them to connect and ended up sewing velcro to the doors so I could close them. Hint: sew the velcro in such a way that you can easily close one side from the inside and one side from the outside.

**Boots13** · 10-25-2013, 15:50

Here's a 1/16 scale model of the tarp with total length of 156". The doors are overlaped.5" which would be 8" full scale.

**VictoriaGuy** · 10-25-2013, 16:49

Originally Posted by Boots13

Here's a 1/16 scale model of the tarp with total length of 156". The doors are overlapped.5" which would be 8" full scale.

How does that pitch angle compare with what you'd like?

If you can set up your existing hammock and tarp nearby and do some experiments/measurements, you'll know how the new one will work.

I've attached a pic of my version, which uses the DIYgearsupply plan dimensions.

If you want more info about my build, this link will take you to the thread.

**gargoyle** · 10-25-2013, 18:13

Is there a 1/16th hammock in there??

**Boots13** · 10-25-2013, 18:59

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Is there a 1/16th hammock in there??

Haha I tried I really did but little paper hammocks are harder then you'd think

**sclittlefield** · 10-26-2013, 11:30

Be sure to flip the panels when you draw out your cuts, so that fabric is not wasted. This image is for the Hex Tarp, but it's the same idea for the Winter Tarp - mate the angles in the center to maximize your fabric.

**Boots13** · 10-26-2013, 11:45

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

Be sure to flip the panels when you draw out your cuts, so that fabric is not wasted. This image is for the Hex Tarp, but it's the same idea for the Winter Tarp - mate the angles in the center to maximize your fabric.

I'm so glad I didn't cut my fabric already haha. This might just give me the extra 10" I need!