Do I need a Tarp for Dew protection in the summer?

[mcmsignup]

I will be camping in Florida this weekend and it is supposed to get down to 64-65. The dew point will be about 58. Should I worry about putting up a tarp to protect against dew? The precipitation chances are zero, so rain should not be a problem. I'd like to look at the stars if possible. Humidity max will be 80%. Does a warm body increase the chance of condensation even if the dew point is not reached?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[MAD777]

The short answer is, "Yes." There isn't dew every night but there's always the chance. By the way, that's the chamber of commerce forecast; it's always 100% humidity in Florida.

[dkurfiss]

What Mad777 said. I put up a tarp every night. In the summer I put it up with porch mode on both sides to allow for air flow but to keep the dew off me. VA has wonderful high humidity too. Right now it is 62F with 79% humidity and weatherman says the humidity will increase during the day today

[olddog]

Welcome aboard from Lakeland. Don't ever bet on the weather in Florida. You've picked a good weekend for a hang this time of year. A light tropical wave with a better chance of rain Wed/Thur. Cold front Thur./Fri with cooler mornings for the weekend. Have a good time.

[TZBrown]

Many times I string up the tarp but leave it in the skins.
Keep the stakes handy, I have woke up more than once with rain on my face, and did a fast dance to stake out the tarp

[mcmsignup]

Thanks everyone for good advice. We decided to compromise and picked up a couple of the 5x7 nylon outdoor products tarps from wally world. My son and I decided that we would hang those tarps on the diagonal and that should give us some protection while allowing a good breeze to flow. Will write back to let you know how it went. This is our first hang in new hammocks. Should be a good weekend to be up in the Ocala National Forest. No chance of rain and down to about 58 ... Treat for this time of year in Florida!