Help me choose my MacCat.

**Dmanhiker** · 04-09-2009, 17:26

Originally Posted by Cannibal

That's possible too. I know BillyBob had some issues with condensation when he was hanging over a semi-permanent mud puddle on his property.

Ya I'm wondering now if it might be that I'm in the humid south (ATL) and the humidity is increasing as spring is here. Also I think the couple times I set it up it had rained so the ground was wet still.

One other thing I've had trouble with is I can't seem to get the ridgeline tight on top. As in it isn't tight like this...

I'm thinking I'm just afraid of over tightening the tarp, as I have already broken the d-rings on the ridgeline.

I know I've sort of hijacked this thread, but I just want to reinforce the fact that Brian over at OES really knows how to make a great tarp!

-Dman

**Cannibal** · 04-09-2009, 17:39

Not really, the OP asked about what the forum thought he should get. Pointing out potential pitfalls falls right into that realm IMO.

As for the ridge; I set it reasonably tight first, then set my ground ties. I end up with a slight bow in the ridgeline and it sets it pretty tight. I played drums on it one night when I was alone and bored in the woods. Kept waiting to see a conga line of forest critters.

**Dmanhiker** · 04-09-2009, 17:43

Haha, well i'm wondering if the fig. 9's on the ridgeline cause me to overtighten it before I tie out the guylines. Do you use fig. 9's on your tarp?

**Cannibal** · 04-09-2009, 17:49

Yes, but I'm careful to not over-do them. Too easy with those things to really crank the tarp down. There is still some play in my ridge tie-outs when I start setting the ground tie-outs. Not a lot, but a little. By the time I'm done setting the ground ties, the ridge ties are pretty darn tight.

**Dmanhiker** · 04-09-2009, 21:45

good to know. I just set my tarp up in the backyard. I didn't get a good full pitch because I'm hanging in the corner of a fence, so I'm not really able to crank down the tieouts. Even thought I have it hung way above the hammock, it still is giving me PLENTY of coverage. This is definitely a great improvement over the fly that was on my hennessy.

**dvisic** · 07-19-2010, 22:03

Originally Posted by Dmanhiker

I got my spinn deluxe a couple weeks ago. I had brian add 4 more tieouts (2 extra on each side). I've set it up multiple times and I have been very pleased with it, it gave me so much more room than my previous tarp! You can't go wrong the maccat!

I'm planning on getting a MacCat Standard in the silnylon shortly. What extra tieouts did you have Brian add and why? I'm a newb. Also, I'm new to this. And to top it all off, I'm a bit of a hammock camping neophyte.

I can haz pix plz?

Edit: oh, and how much extra did the extra tieouts cost?

Thanks!

**Brian** · 07-19-2010, 23:07

Dvisic,

IIRC, Dmanhiker had me add two tieouts to the perimeter edge parallel to the ridgeline (green arrows). Most people choose to add either panel tieouts centered in the tarp's body (red dot, for example), or a tieout or two along the perimeter like Dmanhiker.

For the Standard, I would say that either a single of panel tieout or single perimeter tieout would do just fine if you're looking to add a bit of extra stability in heavy winds. For huge tarps, they keep the tarp battened down in storms. For smaller, shaped tarps like the MacCat Standard, they do the same thing, mainly to keep the tarp off of the hammock.

Extra tieouts are a flat $4 per, regardless of location.

**angrysparrow** · 07-19-2010, 23:14

Originally Posted by Brian

I would say that either a single of panel tieout or single perimeter tieout would do just fine if you're looking to add a bit of extra stability in heavy winds.

When he says heavy winds, he really means it.... A 'standard' will hold up to a heck of a lot of wind before it needs extra reinforcement, given it's size.

I don't think extra tie-outs are needed until you get to the Ultra size, given proper pitching technique.

**dvisic** · 07-19-2010, 23:19

The panel tieouts seem pretty appealing--I like the idea of pulling the tarp a bit away from the hammock. Still, I've yet to actually hang under a tarp. I'm imagining a touch of claustrophobia that may not actually be there.

**angrysparrow** · 07-19-2010, 23:32

If you feel closed in, all you have to do is lower the hammock ridgeline away from the tarp ridgeline a little further. That opens up your view.

Keeping the ridgelines in close proximity is best for really foul weather, to get the most protection from blown precipitation.