First Tarp vs. DIY?

[Scoutitoutz]

Ok, so, I have a dilemma. I am a brand new hammock hanger. I just got my hammock the other day and I am thrilled. However, to go camping with it I need a tarp. I have a very tight budget, and for this reason I am looking at possibly doing a DIY tarp. I could use some help. I would probably only be doing three season camping in my hammock right now. I need the tarp to be usable with and ENO DoubleNest hammock. Any suggestions are much appreciated. I have seen several people use a Kelty Noah's Tarp 9'x9'. Thank you in advance!!

[Catavarie]

If you're wanting to DIY the easiest is a rectangular tarp, although it can be difficult to achieve good tension through out. Cat cut hex tarps are very popular and can be had at a reasonable price.

[Scoutitoutz]

Thanks, quick question. What exactly is a cat cut? By the way, I love your signature. Thanks again for the help. Also, do you know of any good bug nets besides the ENO Gaurdian bug net which I am looking at getting?

[Catavarie]

The cat cut tarps have a circular line cut out of the edge between tie out points, by reducing the amount of fabric between tie outs it helps to tighten the whole thing up nicely. (As I understand, certainly no expert in tarp design.)

There are other bugnet options out there as well, search around the forums here for lots of suggestions.

[krugd]

Thanks, quick question. What exactly is a cat cut? By the way, I love your signature. Thanks again for the help. Also, do you know of any good bug nets besides the ENO Gaurdian bug net which I am looking at getting?

A cat, or catenary, cut is a curved edge to the tarp which makes it easier to keep the tarp tight. See OES tarps website, where you can compare straight edged tarps to catenary cut.

That said, if you are looking to cut cost a rectangular (straight edged tarp) is cheaper and easier to make. An 8 x 8 square tarp is easy to make and can be used as a diamond. My only tarp is a straight edged 8 x 10 which I have used in all sorts of weather.

[exup]

There are some pretty cheap tarps out there. Of course they certainly weigh a bit more, but they'll do. Check out the guide gear tarps (I have one, cost me $20 and it well worth more to me), chinook, and maybe even a PU coated campmor tarp.

In a bind you can always use a cheap blue walmart tarp. I did on my first trip and it worked fine for the crazy thunder storm I was in.

[Catavarie]

Also a large enough rectangular tarp can be pitched with the corners down and inward to form doors for those really bad storms that you didn't expect. Not as elegant as a specifically designed 4 season tarp, but will do in a pinch.

[gmcttr]

...Also, do you know of any good bug nets besides the ENO Gaurdian bug net which I am looking at getting?

Here are a couple of other popular choices for bug nets.

http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/travelers.php


http://www.mydiygear.com/pages/proje...on/bugsock.php

[lustreking]

I bought two 5x7 tarps from Walmart for $9.88 each, and sewed them together for a 10ish x 7 tarp. Inexpensive, and easy.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=29792&page=5

[vballvoodoo]

I've been using the ENO DN for a few years now. For awhile I got by on a roughly thrown together modification of the cheapo bug net that gander mtn sells...the kind thats meant to be suspended above a cot on the ground. it was messy and tangled with me and everything but it was under $10. I went with that and a blue walmart tarp for a few summers before I wanted more. I got the bug shield thing from ENO and i can tolerate it. i dont suppose any bug solution is exceedingly roomy, but it looked like one of the less restrictive options. For the tarp, i found online some rectangular green thing with white ribbon-like attachments sewn onto it. its like a silnylon. 8x10 or so. was under $20. I've been pitching it like an a-frame old school tent, but getting tension in it is a challenge. but i stay dry, and it folds down nicely which was the problem with the blue tarp. It looks a little less trailer-park anyway.