My new tarp, sharing the experience

**millergear** · 06-15-2009, 19:42

I've used the common 8 x 10, the JRB 8 x 8, several sizes of hex tarps and the JRB 10 x 11. Even with the (relatively) heavy 11 x 10 I've always felt vulnerable to rain entering from the ends unless the tarp is hung low. ( My hammocks are long, a Speer 8.5 and a Warbonnet Black Bird). And a low slung tarp means more stooping than my 70 year old body will tolerate! While there is no "perfect" tarp I've found the closest thing to it (for me), a Ray Way one person tarp tent. The end beaks allow it to be set high and still seal the ends. I pitched it six foot high over my WBBB and this afternoon it rode out a severe rain with nary a drop on the hammock! Set up is just like any rectangular tarp plus 2 simple lines for the beaks.
I've posted a pic in my Gallery (though it was taken before raising it to 6 foot)
( http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...i=6104&catid=2 )

Omnia mea mecum porto. - I carry with me all my things

**texron** · 06-15-2009, 20:14

Looks pretty nice, I have to learn to sew one of these days. Nice job

**JayS** · 06-15-2009, 20:33

Very nice. Gives me an idea...

Thanks for sharing and for the picture.

**millergear** · 06-15-2009, 22:06

Got to fess up, it is a great sewing job, but I didn't do it. Bought it from "Pika" on the Backpacking. net Forum.

**HitchHiking** · 06-15-2009, 22:10

Love the beak on it

**headchange4u** · 06-16-2009, 09:16

Wow. That tarp works a lot better with a hammock than I thought it would.

**te-wa** · 06-16-2009, 09:42

if i would have known fellow AZ resident Pika was selling that i would have bought if from her!
2 questions: does the beak interfere with pitching options ie width? can it be brought in closer to hammock?
ok, 3 questions (the big one) how much does it weigh?

**SmokeHouse** · 06-16-2009, 10:20

Nice job...

**millergear** · 06-16-2009, 18:47

The beak is integral to the tarp, spread the sides, the beak gets shorter. And vice' versa. I've had it out through about 10 hours of torrential rains now spread out as far as the STL lines allow and no rain impacted the hammock. Rather than narrowing the tarp for more severe weather I'd just raise the hammock under it. Much easier in a heavy rain! And the WBBB is easy to enter even if slung high.

The tarp,includeing integral ridge line, 12 oz. W/ 6 JRB STL's and tie outs, just under 16 oz. Six STL's is probably overkill but it's cheap (weight wise) insurance.