Warbonnet style ridge seam - How to?

[Boston]

Planning for my next DIY tarp, and would love to try a seam that doesn't require sealing.

Does anyone know how warbonnet constructs their ridge seam with the polyester binding so it does not require seam sealing?

It is just a simple seam, and the binding doesn't stretch and wicks water so it doesn't leak? Or is there more to it than that?

I've searched and searched but there's not much discussion I can find on the subject.

Attached is a quick sketch with a couple idea's I put together.

[Lost_Biker]

I just made 2 tarps using that type of ridge. Here's the first see page 3 : https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...t=76639&page=3

[Boston]

I saw that but also saw you sealed it. Did you ever test them before sealing?

[Lost_Biker]

I saw that but also saw you sealed it. Did you ever test them before sealing?

Yes, today it rained on my latest - no water or drips got thru the seam at all. I did however, put a very light coat of seam sealer on the grossgrain after the rain storm as the grossgrain will absorb water if left untreated.. The seam itself from the bottom of the tarp was perfectly dry.

I'm very pleased with it.

[MDSH]

Did you order your material already?

I've got a bunch of 30 denier MARPAT rip stop from Magna Fabrics, pure finish, 68" wide.

I'll sew it all together (12' long) with the ridge line you describe, using 7/8" grosgrain ...

And then make it ALL silnylon/sealed DIY-style: immersed in 2 quarts mineral spirits and a tube of clear silicone mixed thoroughly in a 5 gal bucket.

.

[Lost_Biker]

Just as an update for you - my tarp spent the night in heavy rain. No leaks anywhere. I love the flowable windshield sealant - gets in all the nooks and crannies.

MDSH's tarp is brilliant - you should look into his post on it.

[Boston]

Yes, today it rained on my latest - no water or drips got thru the seam at all. I did however, put a very light coat of seam sealer on the grossgrain after the rain storm as the grossgrain will absorb water if left untreated.. The seam itself from the bottom of the tarp was perfectly dry.

I'm very pleased with it.

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm going to try this with my net tarp - we will see. worst case you only have 1 seam to seal, instead of 2 with the felled seam approach. and it should be easy to sew without using needles. Can even easily incorporate a catenary curve.