Optimum MacCat Size for HH?

[Javaman]

Hello Hammock Forum, Javaman here - been reading and learning for several months now.

Considering asking for an OES MacCat for Christmas for my HH Explorer UL. I am currently using the HH with SS and standard hex fly here in Maryland. So far so good . . but there is always room for improvement!

Brian shows three different sizes. Any significant performance difference with the Deluxe vs. Standard? The weight difference is not of consequence for me, just looking for the most functional of the two.

Thanks in advance for the responses.

[Take-a-knee]

Since you aren't counting grams, I'd get the Deluxe Macat. The regular is probably big enough unless someone has a tall version of the hennessy, then they'd be better off with the extra length of the deluxe.

[slowhike]

welcome to HF Javaman.
brian, the maker of the OMS cat, sometimes gets backed up on the tarps because of the school work he's keeping up w/.
but it seems like someone recently said he was back at the sewing machine.

might be worth checking out if you want to get that tarp by Christmas.

if he's backed up & you're hoping to get a tarp soon, you may want to take a look at the new "winter tarp" by speer hammocks. ...tim

[FanaticFringer]

I would really consider getting either one of the new Speer winter cat tarps or the new JRB tarp. I ordered one of the JRB tarps. The side protection from rain, wind, ect. is a step further in the advancement of hammock camping IMO.
There is a nice review of the MacCat tarps as well as others here www.tothewoods.net

[Brian]

Hey Javaman (and all), just to inform some people of any backorders that I may have. I currently have 3 weeks of school left, and I am producing a few tarps up at school, and after finals, I will be able to eliminate my backorders in their entirety for at least a few months.
As my website says, I am currently running about a 3 week back order, and that is pretty much what it actually is. I should also be able to get most if not all ordered tarps delivered darn near Christmas, if not a few days after words.

Also, stay tuned for news of 2 new tarps, including one that I am sure everyone will love. More to come.

Brian
OES

[slowhike]

thanks for the update Brian. that's really helpful to those people looking at getting one of your great tarps.
keep up the good work. ...tim

[Javaman]

Thanks Brian for the update. BillyBob58's pics posted today show a good size comparison of the Deluxe and the HH hex fly. The Deluxe looks like the right size. Now to get it on my list!!

[Just Jeff]

Lots of folks here like the Deluxe - I'm happy with the Standard. Plenty of coverage for one person under there, and it's lighter. Plus, IMO at least, smaller tarps are easier to set up than bigger ones, and sometimes a bigger tarp can limit site selection...there have been a few times where I pitched the Standard over stump or shrub where the Deluxe would have been limited there.

But all in all, it's just preference - one is as good as the other and it just depends on what fits your style.

If it were mostly winter camping and I wanted a MacCat, I'd definitely go with the Deluxe, though. Haven't tried the JRB or Speer winter tarps so I can't compare those.

[BillyBob58]

Since you have an Explorer ( which is longer than some) and you are already used to the PU ( I assume) Hex fly ( 132" long) you better definitely get the Deluxe(Which is 130" long), IMO. The stock asym HH Explorer fly is 137" long, and even the Mac Cat Deluxe is 7" shorter than that. Personally, I wouldn't want a tarp for the Explorer that was any shorter than that. Maybe for an Expedition or ULBP, but not an Explorer. Just my opinion.

[BillyBob58]

Thanks Brian for the update. BillyBob58's pics posted today show a good size comparison of the Deluxe and the HH hex fly. The Deluxe looks like the right size. Now to get it on my list!!

Just a reminder, that HH Sil nylon Hex with the MacCat drapped over it (in the pics) is a foot longer than the PU HH Hex fly. The MacCat Deluxe is essentially the same length( about 2" less) on the ridgeline as the green HH PU Hex.

Also, that is a good point Jeff makes about a smaller tarp being pitchable in more places.

[Javaman]

Thanks for the dimensions, BB. I was wondering about this very thing this weekend. Between my Explorer and 2 Scouts ( for my 10 and 7 year old boys) I have ended up with both a brown and green "hex fly" plus the stock tarps. Using Brian's suggested suspension method of one end secured to the tree and the other on the hammock suspension line, there is definately some play and room for adjustment. Gues I'll have to hang them all at the same time to see which tarp works best with any one hammock. Makes me think about mixing and matching. Hmmm.

[Just Jeff]

Who has actually used a MacCat Standard with an HH Explorer UL? I'm thinking about this setup for my friend at Mt Rogers. The UL ridgeline is 110" and the MacCat ridgeline is 125", leaving 7+" on each side. This is enough in theory, and I'm sure we can find him a sheltered site, but there's not much room for error and I don't want to mess up his first hammock night. So...anyone have experience with this combo?

[JaxHiker]

Sorry, I've got the Deluxe.

[kwpapke]

The UL ridgeline is 110" and the MacCat ridgeline is 125", leaving 7+" on each side. This is enough in theory, and I'm sure we can find him a sheltered site, but there's not much room for error and I don't want to mess up his first hammock night.
Just one comment: the 7" will cover the ridgeline well, but likely not the prusiks. That's a non-issue if the camper will have nothing attached to them -- then they can be left to dangle out in the elements.

OTOH, if the camper is using a SS and attaching things to the prusiks you've created a nice capillary water channel into the hammock...

--Kurt

[JaxHiker]

That's a good point. Not a bad idea to have some drip lines with you. I use some camo cord I got at Wally World. It's not paracord so it makes a much better drip line.