SilPoly hex cat-cut tarp, simple but effective

**kduvey** · 06-07-2015, 11:44

Just finished up a new hammock tarp. Made it with RSBTR's SilPoly, which was an absolute joy to work with (compared to silnylon). It appears to be really good stuff, although I have not used it in the rain yet. I like it so much I'm planning to make my next major project, a sub 1.5 pound one-person tent, out of it as well.

Dimensions are ~12' ridgeline with 8' sides, all cut with cat cuts. Full width of fabric. Weights in at 15.4 oz including 4 steaks and all the guy lines and hardware. I used 3/4'' tri-rings attached with yellow poly webbing at all 6 tie outs. The ridge line tie outs use Dutch's Stingerz with 12' of Zing-it spliced on. The 4 corner tie outs use lineloc 3's attached to the tri-rings with 1/8'' shock cord the and the guy lines running to the stakes are Lawson reflective cord. I'm really pleased with the whole setup. Should ver quite versatile and bomber for the weight. The picture of it setup with my trekking poles is just to get it seam sealed in my front yard.

**MAD777** · 06-07-2015, 12:11

Beautiful job!

**FJRpilot** · 06-07-2015, 12:26

Very nice! Well done... So I have to ask.... Cat cutting the ridge line.... What are folks opinion on this.. I've never done it, but I'm about to make a winter tarp with doors... Is it necessary?

**Drybones** · 06-07-2015, 12:27

What's the weight per yard for the material?

**kduvey** · 06-07-2015, 12:53

Originally Posted by FJRpilot

Very nice! Well done... So I have to ask.... Cat cutting the ridge line.... What are folks opinion on this.. I've never done it, but I'm about to make a winter tarp with doors... Is it necessary?

The ridge line on this tarp is actually not cat-cut. Most people who have the experience say cat-cutting the ridge line is not necessary, cat-cuts on the edges are enough. If you cat-cut the ridge line it can reduce headroom quite a bit, and it also makes is more difficult to get a really nice flat-felled seam, which important for a nice taught pitch.

**xxl_hanger** · 06-07-2015, 13:01

Very nice done. I would like to have the same fabric. Can't buy any silpoly ripstop in Europe.

Originally Posted by FJRpilot

So I have to ask.... Cat cutting the ridge line.... What are folks opinion on this.. I've never done it, but I'm about to make a winter tarp with doors... Is it necessary?

I made a very moderate cat cut on the RL of my first winter tarp. I think I used a 2" cat cut on a 130" RL. It helps a bit to get the inner fabric tight and you can't see the cut. The fabric I used is ripstop polyester with a heavy undefined coating. Don't know what it is.