SB Tarp Questions

[SoCal Mike]

Hey, everybody.

The 1.9 SL Switchback is my first official hammock. I’m searching for a tarp for it. As you know, the SB is 120 inches long and Dale at TTTG recommends a tarp with a 144 inch ridgeline. I‘ve read that some SB users say a 132 in. ridgeline is sufficient.

For those of you using a tarp with a 132 in. ridgeline, is that only a “fair weather” set up for you, or do you find it sufficient for heavy winds and/or rain? If it is only a fair weather tarp for you, what do you use (or plan to use) for harher weather conditions?

I’ve seen pictures posted here at HF where guys criss-cross the tarp corners to help enclose the hammock from wind and rain. Does anyone here with a do that with a tarp with a 132 in ridgeline? How has it worked for you? Or would a 144 in ridgeline tarp be better for that sort of coverage? And, if you do fold over the corners, do you use pull outs from the side of the tarp to pull the tarp away from your hammock? Or do you use pull outs at the bottom edge of the tarp to pull the tarp away from your hammock? Or both? I’m asking because it seems that some manufacturers differ in what they offer as far as pull outs on the side v. pull outs on the edge of the tarp.

SoCal Mike

[Shug]

I do.....11' ridgeline.
I added tabs to my bottom hem about 20 or so inches in.
Shug

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/7/New-Tarp.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3134&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=907&cutoffdate=-1)

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/7/Tarp-w--ends-closed.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3135&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=907&cutoffdate=-1)

[vdeal]

I'm still trying to decide on 132" vs 144" for my SB.

[^shane^]

I use either an OES Deluxe or WB BMJ with my SwitchBacks. If the weather turns I just throw on a set of doors (WB BMJ doors - I've modded them a bit to fit the Deluxe too).

[SoCal Mike]

I do.....11' ridgeline.
I added tabs to my bottom hem about 20 or so inches in.
Shug

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/7/New-Tarp.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3134&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=907&cutoffdate=-1)

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/7/Tarp-w--ends-closed.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3135&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=907&cutoffdate=-1)

Thanks, Shug. Those are a couple of the images I was thinking of. For my clarification, though, do you use this set up with a hammock that is 10' in length?

[SoCal Mike]

I use either an OES Deluxe or WB BMJ with my SwitchBacks. If the weather turns I just throw on a set of doors (WB BMJ doors - I've modded them a bit to fit the Deluxe too).

Thanks, Shane! I guess I'm trying to decide between getting a shorter tarp like the BMJ but with doors as an option for foul weather. Or going with a larger tarp that I can wrap around the hammock, ala Shug's photos.

Is it safe to presume that I could not effectively "wrap" the tarp around the SB when the tarp has an 11' ridgeline because the SB is a fairly long hammock?

I sure do appreciate your input.

SoCal Mike

[Shug]

Thanks, Shug. Those are a couple of the images I was thinking of. For my clarification, though, do you use this set up with a hammock that is 10' in length?

My hammock is about 10' or so...

[Tendertoe]

I'm hope Rip chimes in on this one as I just got confirmation of shipping today/tomorrow from TTTG of a 1.9DL and am interested to see what tarp I may need.

Rip mentioned yesterday he was planning on stringing up his SB under his BMJ.

My thoughts are that, although the Switchback is the same raw length as the WBBB, there are a couple of factors at play.

1. The channeled end on the Switchback rather than a whipped end on the WBBB may add a couple of inches to the overall finished length?

2. This hammock, I feel, is more comfortable when strung tighter (my limited experience hanging for a day in Rip's loaner). This is made possible due to it not having a structural ridgeline. Consequently, when you string this thing taut, it further lengthens it.

These two items combined, would make the hammock probably 112-115 inches long when strung - only leave you probably 12-18 inches of wiggle room under the tarp is my assumption???

Once again, these are only speculations, I'm going to be interested to see Rip's (and anyone else's who has experience with a 132'' tarp and SB) input on this.

[OutandBack]

HI Mike,
If I use my OES Delux with my SB I always carry the 2QZQ Grizz Beak for one end.
Do to the deep catcut in the OES tarps I feel the ends of the hammock are not protected enough.
If I take my HMG cuben 11x8 I do not bring doors and have weather some pretty strong storms with nothing getting wet. Both tarps have a 132" RL

hth

[vdeal]

HI Mike,
If I use my OES Delux with my SB I always carry the 2QZQ Grizz Beak for one end.
Do to the deep catcut in the OES tarps I feel the ends of the hammock are not protected enough.

I'm not seeing the logic in this. An OES Deluxe in sil weighs 13.1 oz. The Grizz Beak is listed as less than 6 oz. which too me means between 5 and 6 ounces. Let's call it 5.5 oz. So for this combination you're at 18.6 oz. You could simply carry an OES Ultra instead which weighs 15.4 oz. Am I missing something here?

[Tendertoe]

I'm not seeing the logic in this. An OES Deluxe in sil weighs 13.1 oz. The Grizz Beak is listed as less than 6 oz. which too me means between 5 and 6 ounces. Let's call it 5.5 oz. So for this combination you're at 18.6 oz. You could simply carry an OES Ultra instead which weighs 15.4 oz. Am I missing something here?

I think the rationale would be no doors on the OES Ultra.

[rip waverly]

I think the rationale would be no doors on the OES Ultra.

and still a pretty dramatic cat cut on those OES tarps.


i took some photos of the SB under a wb BMJ. ( i will upload tonite )
while it works 'OK'... its not the coverage i'm used to with say a 100" srl. the ends barely cover, but brandon doesn't use that drastic a cat cut, so that is a saving grace. again it works.. but takes a bit more skill to nail the setup... and even then, without doors..i feel the ends would be subject to some nasty weather. (this of course an issue if you are not a minimalist)

its this hmmker's opinion that yes, a 12' ridgeline would serve better over an SB, much like others, and the proprietor Darby claim.

[SoCal Mike]

Thanks, everybody. Rip, I'd love to see some pics if you don't mind.

SoCal Mike

[MrToot]

Check my gallery for a custom OES that has 144' ridgeline and doors built in. I am actually about to put it up for sale as my go to is a BMJ (Spin) with doors though the doors are silnylon

[SoCal Mike]

Check my gallery for a custom OES that has 144' ridgeline and doors built in. I am actually about to put it up for sale as my go to is a BMJ (Spin) with doors though the doors are silnylon

Beautiful tarp, MrToot. Let me know when you're going to hit the market with that one.

[MrToot]

Sent you a PM. Let me know what you think


Beautiful tarp, MrToot. Let me know when you're going to hit the market with that one.

[rip waverly]

sorry i forgot about this..

pics Switchback classic under a wb big mamajamba:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VyzfGxpvuuI/TmUSckuJ24I/AAAAAAAAAh0/UmsxnW7pNfw/s640/IMG_0447.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xsQWUDaJZwk/TmUSddcbGaI/AAAAAAAAAh4/-8B3Lt_Y-_8/s640/IMG_0448.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y4Hd4gUoH8c/TmUSd3JhpAI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EN04qGvUsUY/s640/IMG_0449.JPG

so it fits, for the most part. i'd prefer doors for total storm coverage.

thinking of saving my pennies for one of adam's cubens with doors built on. i imagine that would offer the coverage i'd like to have.

[Tendertoe]

sorry i forgot about this..

pics Switchback classic under a wb big mamajamba:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VyzfGxpvuuI/TmUSckuJ24I/AAAAAAAAAh0/UmsxnW7pNfw/s640/IMG_0447.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xsQWUDaJZwk/TmUSddcbGaI/AAAAAAAAAh4/-8B3Lt_Y-_8/s640/IMG_0448.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y4Hd4gUoH8c/TmUSd3JhpAI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EN04qGvUsUY/s640/IMG_0449.JPG

so it fits, for the most part. i'd prefer doors for total storm coverage.

thinking of saving my pennies for one of adam's cubens with doors built on. i imagine that would offer the coverage i'd like to have.

Eeek :scared:

Doesn't look like enough coverage for my linking without doors.

Looks like the ends of the hammock are just begging to peek out of the cat cuts there.

Glad I picked up a 12x11 OES.

I still have a BMJ with doorkit, so I'll try both; but it looks stark there.

Thanks for the pics Rip.

[SoCal Mike]

Thanks, Rip. I appreciate you posting those. I've got my eye on the AHE Toxaway. But Paul's out of 'em right now. Bummer.

SoCal Mike

[Scottybdiving]

Here's my SB and an 11' Backwoods Daydreamer Winter Dream. Sorry about the size of the photos. I have found the 11' to be difficult at times due to space. I would think 12' would be even more difficult.

Right
http://gallery.me.com/scottybdiving/100045/IMG_0182/web.jpg

Left
http://gallery.me.com/scottybdiving/100045/IMG_0267/web.jpg

[huauqui]

Here's my SB and an 11' Backwoods Daydreamer Winter Dream. Sorry about the size of the photos. I have found the 11' to be difficult at times due to space. I would think 12' would be even more difficult.

Right
http://gallery.me.com/scottybdiving/100045/IMG_0182/web.jpg

Left
http://gallery.me.com/scottybdiving/100045/IMG_0267/web.jpg

Couple things come to mind when I see those pictures. The first one is WOW! what a gorgeous place. The second is, can you imagine trying to sleep in a tent on those rocks!! Man I love my hammocks, thanks for posting those, I am jealous. I bet, between the motion of the hammocks and the sound of the water running along side you, it was tough to get up in the morning. :lol:

huauqui