Tarp Advice Humbly Requested!

[ToeJam]

**Sorry if this has been posted twice. I'm a noob**

I'm need of advice from folks who have actually hung in the woods. Although I'm new to hammocks as of October, I have been sleeping in my DIY hammock with a Stormcrow underquilt for 3 months straight but have done so in my basement (my back has never felt better, but that's worth a whole other post). I have yet to get outside b/c I have no tarp and in Portland OR rain is constant in the winter.

I want to buy a winter season tarp so I can get out in the woods ASAP. That means constant rain, rarely a down pour, and usually not windy. We don't get below 30 degrees very often either. I'm left wondering mostly about size and if pull-outs should be a priority. I've settled on SpinnUL b/c of the constant wet my tarp will be subject to.

Pull outs seem nice to keep things roomy and having a big tarp is appealing b/c once I set up I'll be under it until it's time to start walking again. The rain is incessant. I’m not super concerned about weight as I can only take short trips in the winter and most of those are one-nighters.

All advice welcome. I’m itchin’ to make a purchase! Thanks!
-Christian

[canoebie]

While not advocating for a specific tarp, I know that if I were going to be in rain a lot, I would want big and side pull outs. In addition, I would want the ability to close one or both ends by either pulling the flaps over or having a door kit or beaks. Rectangular tarps are very practical and if high winds are not likely to be an issue offer many advantages. If high winds are anticipated a catenary cut tarp will offer a more taut pitch reducing flapping and potential malfunction.

I made a 10x12 rectangular tarp with pull outs for my wife and she can really hunker down with it in wind rain and snow. She loves the way it pulls down, yet is roomy enough to change clothes, move around, etc.

For the extra few ounces, a large tarp offers many advantages, particularly if restricted to the tarp for long periods because of bad weather. HYOH, and enjoy. The most important thing is to just get out. Maybe get a poly tarp about the size you want and experiment a bit. I am experimenting at home all the time. Neighbors are always wondering what is up next.

[Raul Perez]

Warbonnet Superfly Tarp with doors. Perfect beginner tarp. Huge, not a huge weight penalty (you're not concerned about that anyway), has side pull outs, and you can cook underneath it due to the room it affords.

[canoebie]

+1 on Raul's post.

[SteelerNation]

I have the Superfly with doors as well, and I really love its size. The Superfly even comes with the doors included now, so you don't have to pay for them separately - saves some money, though I'm not sure what that did to the base price.

Anyway, really love it! http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/tarps.php

Since you mentioned Spinn, they also have a Spinn MambaJamba that is only 3 inches narrower than the Superfly, but a good bit lighter.

Let us know how it turns out!

[Joey]

+1 on Raul's post.

+2 - the room and pullouts are awesome for rain!

[pizza]

Another recommendation for the Superfly. It will suit your needs well.

[Bat]

Since we live in the same climate I can tell you I love my spinn Mambajamba with doors. I wish the doors were sewn on because that would save on weight. When I ordered mine side pullouts were not an option, but now they are and I would get them to reduce the noise and make more room.
I'm in Portland frequently. Let me know if you want me to bring my tarp down so you can check it out.

Nat