View Full Version : the franken-tarp
titanium_hiker
11-10-2006, 07:19
Right. So I've got this tarp, right. And it's not that bad. Except that it's crap.
It's rectangular. I've already added tie outs in the middle of the short sides, and it hangs semi-ok.
I'll post the dimensions tomorrow (it's sleepy time for little hammockers in my time-zone) So I figured you guys could come up with some good suggestions until then.
So: What would you do with an average rectangular tarp to make it not so average?
It's most definitely not silnylon (light, waterproof, but not sil).
thanks for the advice!
titanium_hiker
headchange4u
11-10-2006, 08:28
I've sorta got the same delima. I bought a 9x6 rectangluar silnylon tarp from trailforums.com for $5. I have been wanting to enlarge it a little bit to make it more hammock compatible, but I havn't decided what to do yet.
Just Jeff
11-10-2006, 10:38
headchange - check out the end caps at www.garlington.biz
th - dimensions?
headchange4u
11-10-2006, 11:10
headchange - check out the end caps at www.garlington.biz
Are you talikng about the Tarp Hood (http://www.garlington.biz/Ray/SilkHammock/TarpHoodsLg.jpg)?
Just Jeff
11-10-2006, 12:09
Yeah - that's what he calls them. Sorry.
titanium_hiker
11-10-2006, 20:50
dimensions- roughly 12 by 10 (ft), but of course it's metric, so it's not exact to feet lengths. And measuring by yourself doesn't yield NASA precision. :)
Biggest gripe: very hard to pitch tight. but then again, my backyard isn't the most ideal place to hang- have to get creative for tying down on one side where the grass turns into concrete and wall.
It also has 3 tie outs per side, which is annoying. I tried to diagonal pitch it (a while ago), which didn't work too well...
TH
Just Jeff
11-11-2006, 10:42
Cut it down to an 8x10 tarp and make raingear and snakeskins from the other 4x10 piece.
titanium_hiker
11-12-2006, 21:16
I guess 8*10 is the standardish size- that's what Ed Speer sells.
no one has had issues with coverage?
I guess smaller = tighter staking.
Thanks Jeff!
Just Jeff
11-12-2006, 21:53
Measure your hammock from knot to knot...you probably want at least a foot on each side. More is obviously better coverage, but this is less important with a rectangle tarp than a diamond or MacCat b/c the ends are protected better from blowing rain. Unless it's blowing in exactly from the end, obviously, but the corners of the rectangle protect an area that diamonds and MacCat standards don't...which is why the ridgelines are so much bigger than 10'.
That said, I haven't actually used an 8x10...just seen them pitched on others' hammocks.
But you could still make an 8x11 and have enough left for python skins and a stuff sack.
titanium_hiker
11-12-2006, 22:21
knot to knot when strung up or flat? I'm thinking strung up.
titanium_hiker
titanium_hiker
11-12-2006, 22:32
I'm thinking I'm going to clip off the grommets, and add my own tie outs. And shorten the tarp a bit.
titanium_hiker
Just Jeff
11-12-2006, 22:42
Yes, strung up. If you have a structural ridgeline, it'll basically be the length of the ridgeline.
Just Jeff
11-12-2006, 22:44
Or cut it to 10x10...that's a pretty big tarp hung diagonally. That'll leave you a 2x10 section...enough for snakeskins and a small stuffsack.
titanium_hiker
11-12-2006, 22:59
how big is the "neo's tarp"?
(for comparison)
TH
Just Jeff
11-13-2006, 00:01
One is 9x9 and one is 12x12.
How do I get a Neo's Guide tarp to Canada?
Arkwater
11-14-2006, 22:03
Try Sportsmans guide (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/).
Arkwater
11-14-2006, 22:06
Here is the tarp page. (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247)
Peter_pan
11-18-2006, 15:16
Th,
Check the stay dry page on Just Jeff's web site above... good comparision chart of tarps, sizes, weights, and costs.
Pan
titanium_hiker
11-19-2006, 06:32
aargh! I went to check out your site, Jeff- down for "routine maintence"! aaargh!
thanks for reminding me, Pan. I hadn't checked out Jeff's pages in a while.
TH