MacCat Deluxe Spinntex Tarp

Received a MacCat DeLuxe tarp made of Spinntex yesterday. The tarp is a replacement for the stock HH and will be used when weight is a significant factor. Set up the tarp and hammock last night for a test hang. The 30% chance of rain ended up being 0%. Bit breezy as usual up here (10-20knot).

The Spinntex is a stiffer material compared to silnylon. Brian's design and manufacturing resulted in an easy to rig tight tarp. Was initially concerned that the stiffer material may rattle/flex louder than a silnylon tarp. Not a concern any more. Was hoping for a hard rain to hear if the beating of raindrops would be louder and of a different pitch on the spinntex vs. a silnylon tarp. The acorns are starting to drop. You can hear them crashing through the leaves. None hit the tarp. Have no idea what an acorn impact on a silnylon tarp sounds like so I wouldn't have a comparison anyways.

The tarp & stuff sack weighed 10.5 oz. Color is a nice light blue. It's now stuffed into a HH SS #4. Probably would fit in a #2. With JRB Self Tensioning lines and SS#4 the total packed weight is 14oz. The SWT with identical lines and SS#3 weighs in at 20 5/8oz.

dont forget to mention that Spinnaker will not sag or stretch when wet. that is a Huge bonus over sil. plus, its about 25% lighter. can you post a photo or 2?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikeinfhaz

dont forget to mention that Spinnaker will not sag or stretch when wet. that is a Huge bonus over sil. plus, its about 25% lighter. can you post a photo or 2?

---

Very true; no tensioners needed. However, my favorite part of the Spinntex (by far) is the fact that there is no moisture pass thru. With a sil tarp if you brush against it from the inside when it's wet outsite, whatever part of you (usually my back) touched the tarp is now wet too. Really hate that! :mad: No worries with the Spinntex. :)

I am thrilled with my OES Spinntex tarp! Oh, and the rain you were hoping for...sounds like an army of snare drummers. :D You get used to it pretty quick.

Somebody did tell me that there are some issues with abrasion with the Spinntex. I did pay a little more attention to the underbrush and stray tree limbs, but never had any problems in that regard.

Here's a recent pic of mine; hard to tell the difference between a standard sil MacCat and this one, but trust me there's a difference!

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...0761_thumb.jpg

How much does Brian charge for a spinnex tarp?

Not quite sure and I already got scolded by Warbonnetguy for misquoting. :o

I'm sure Brian will see this thread and hopefully respond.

I've only got one more in stock, and I'm currently asking $160 - for my Deluxe size.

Brian
OES

Edit: Cannibal - beat me by a minute;)

Told ya he'd respond. :cool:

Mocs, I think Brian just made a few Spinntex tarps with some material he had available. You will have to email him to check if any are left and the costs.

Didn't realize the SpinnTex doesn't stretch like silnylon. Another brain lapse. Makes sense if it is actually used for sail cloth. If it's used for sail cloth it should be more UV tolerant than nylon. The Self Tension Lines are coming off to be replaced with some AirCore.

I'll take & post some photos. Looks like a standard MacCat. Just more of a blue color.

Too bad I just bought a Silnylon Deluxe, that is a good price considering the cost of the raw material.

BTW: I used my MacCat Deluxe for the first time car camping this weekend and was very impressed. The level of quality is every bit as good as everyone says. I will be using the tarp on a 3 day AT section over Labor Day.

Photos.
Rain test tonight. 30% chance of thunderstorms. It has gone from partly sunny, relatively humid warm to cloudy & cooler.

Had an opportunity to hang under the OES Spinntex tarp during a thunderstorm.
The home the rain gauge read 0.8". Was setup in a "normal" configuration. Keep everything totally dry. The noise of the tapping of the rain was not bad. Similar to the sound of the rain ripping through the oak leaves. The acorn that hit was loud. Real loud. No marks found on the tarp next morning.

I bought one of the Mountain Laurel Designs ultra light spinntex tarps. It only weighs 4.7 ounces with line/locks attached. And, it was just $70.00. I have had it set up over my Warbonnet Traveler for about two months in my backyard. I have been through more than a dozen hard rains without getting wet. I have not experienced any wind blown rain. Common sense tells me that I would not stay dry in such a small tarp during wind blown rain. Also, you have to set it up just right to get good results. There is little or no room for error. I plan to use it when I do not expect rain and have my hammock set up near a shelter on the Penhoti trail.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...jpg&w=96&h=120