South East: Which tarp should I buy?

It's time to upgrade from my WW blue tarp special I picked up for $20. It's a 12x18 and HEAVY. I have a ENO DN with slapstraps (working on getting whoopie slings).

I really like the OES tarps and am debating whether to get a MacCat Standard/Deluxe or one of Brian's tarps with doors.
If I get the doors I think I'll ask brian to straight cut those edges for better closure.

I actually enjoy camping in the rain, the soft quiet, smell, it's all very relaxing. I camped through all the worst storms last year as well. Considering that, what size tarp should I get, and are doors necessary? I'm 6'6" and it seems when I lay in the DN diagonally that I extend out further than the other guys at work, so I'm concerned about waking up soaked from poor coverage.

Thanks guys!

I've got a DN and cover it with a Warbonnet Big Mamajamba. The price, quality, weight, and size all were what I was looking for in a tarp. I hate to be wet and the BMJ provides plenty of coverage. I spent a couple of windy, rainy nights along the ridgelines on the Pinhoti Trail and stayed bone dry and warm. The wind and rain pounded the tarp and it performed beautifully. Just my $.02, happy hanging.

The OES Deluxe sized MacCat is a wonderful tarp for foul weather. I got my hammock wings while living in Vero Beach, so I can relate to those storms you're talking about. The Deluxe will provide you all kinds of coverage and still leave room for you to wait out the storm in style. The WB Big Mamajamba is equally as good.

Unless you're a gram weenie, Florida is a good place to go with a larger tarp. It's nice to have the width because it keeps the dripping along the tarp edge at a greater distance from you; means less of a risk of 'splashing' you, your gear, and your hammock. :cool:

i really like my wb superfly. strait cut, doors, pull-out loops, well built and versatile.

I recommend you make your own whoopie slings. I've made 3 or 4 sets. Really very easy. Watch some videos or read up and get to splicing.

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Originally Posted by Mundele

I recommend you make your own whoopie slings. I've made 3 or 4 sets. Really very easy. Watch some videos or read up and get to splicing.

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Agreed, I really enjoy making my own. They get easier every time I make more. Plenty of good videos on how to.

I suppose it depends on just how HARD it rains where you live?

I started with a MacCat Standard, which was just a tad too small for me... then bought a MacCat Winter with doors.... and guess how often I had to use the doors? Not once. In my environment, I found I really don't need much.

My happy-medium turned out to be a Warbonnet Big Mamajamba. While I really wanted the refined OES edging and corners (they really are superior), I pitched my BMJ on my last trip and grinned ear-to-ear.... Why? I love the shape of the tarp and the way it pitches. You can REALLY pull it tight (like it WANTS to be pulled tight) and the coverage is absolutely perfect. Hey, and I love the dark grey color too!

What can I say, I had doubts, but I love my BMJ now.

Well, I am rather partial to my mega ogee.... Endless set up options, including doors....... Did I mention I loved my ogee? :shades:
You couldn't go wrong with any of the above as well.... Decisions......decisions...:D

+3 on making your own whoopies. Two months ago I didn't know what a fid was and had never heard of amsteel. Now I can make continuous loops whoopies brummels etc.. without any instruction. Start playing, its fun!!