Critique my blueprint

**Patrick** · 10-22-2008, 18:04

I've decided to make a new tarp a bit larger than my current one. After checking out Brian's and BlackBishop's, I've come up with the following blueprint. It's a little longer, a little wider, and with a little more coverage at the ends than I have now.

I've got a homemade hammock with about a 10' ridgeline and I think the width as pictured is about right for me for wind, rain, cooking under, etc.

I did the cat depth at about 1.25" per foot. Don't have a lot of experience with that, so I'd be curious to hear any opinions.

Image is to scale. Sorry about the crappy quality of the scan. Thanks for checking it out.

**angrysparrow** · 10-22-2008, 18:37

The 12' ridgeline really is ideal - good choice.

It isn't clear from the drawing, but I assume 4 guy outs (not including the ridge ties)? Have you considered leaving a little more material on the ends and having 4 guy outs per side, to allow the end to be closed up ala the Speer WinterTarp?

**warbonnetguy** · 10-22-2008, 18:38

looks fine, consider leaving the true hex for an elongated hex, i would like it a little wider across the bottom edge, but that's just my preference.

you say you have a hammock with a 10'rl. that's pretty long, how long is the hammock fabric?

**Patrick** · 10-22-2008, 18:48

I had considered the winter tarp, but I'm going to keep this one simple, I think. I made one similar to that before and didn't like all the extra material. It is a cool design, though, so I may try another one in the future.

warbonnet, you mean longer along the sides, right (the bottom edge of my picture)? Do you have any suggestions, formulas, etc?

**Ramblinrev** · 10-22-2008, 19:03

Very similar dimensions to one I made for my wife. Mine has cat cuts. I like the size of it and think it is a very versitile design.

**warbonnetguy** · 10-22-2008, 19:07

i mean the 70" you have across the bottom edge (the edge that runs along the ground) could be more like 90" instead (personal preference of course). the length of the other sides are really limited by the roll width of the fabric, but my sil comes in at about 65" roll width, so you might be able to make the tarp itself a little wider if you wanted. i max it out to about a 10'6" tarp width.

also the 1.25" per foot cat cut might be a little big. for the bottom edge as is now, you are looking at 7.5" deep cut, which is probably alot more than is necessary. i wouldn't go more than 4" deep even at a 90" length (that's just a guess, i'd lay it out and see what it looks like, but it doesn't have to be real deep)

**Patrick** · 10-22-2008, 19:08

How'd you do your cats? Last time, I used a bow and string approach. This time, I'm thinking of trying to make the pattern by hanging a chain.

**Patrick** · 10-22-2008, 19:09

Thanks, warbonnet. I'll make another plan and check it out against the tarp material laid out. Any downside to the extra length other than the small amount of weight?