Tarp length

**hutzelbein** · 09-15-2017, 04:58

Originally Posted by GadgetUK437

First off, you are hanging that 12 foot hammock pretty tight if your SRL is 11 foot. That adds up to a 23° sag.
A lot of folk recommend starting with a SRL that is 83% of your hammock length, i.e. 10' SRL for a 12' hammock. That would give you a sag of 34°.

OT: How did you calculate that? I have been looking for a way to figure out the perfect angle for cutting a hammock sock, but I have forgotten too much since school...

**GadgetUK437** · 09-15-2017, 07:13

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

OT: How did you calculate that?

I used my own hammock hang calculator (see below),

HammockHangCalculator002.xls

**Joaniek** · 09-15-2017, 10:03

I just spent a few minutes looking at the math pages on the calculator. It's been more years than I care to think since I studied math and physics.
Off for a short backpack trip this morning. I will take the calculator with me and while away some time trying to get a grasp on forgotten concepts.
Thanks so much for sharing, Gadget!

**onesojourner** · 09-15-2017, 10:14

nm I got it.

**GadgetUK437** · 09-15-2017, 10:27

Originally Posted by Joaniek

I just spent a few minutes looking at the math pages on the calculator.

Oh LoL, I had forgotten I had left those hidden sheets on there!
In the interests of transparency, this is not my own work, I just titivated it some.
The guy who should get the credit is Frank Butler (fwbutler), who posted the original on this thread,
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ng-calculators

**HillbillyHanger** · 09-15-2017, 11:23

I use an 11' hammock and I use a 12' tarp. I bought the 12' when I was just starting. If I were buying a new tarp today, I would be very tempted to buy one of the new Warbonnet tarps (Minifly) with the small doors. The 12' tarps great, however, it sometimes presents a challenge when the distance between two trees is not idea. I'm thinking of buying one of the Minifly tarps as it would give me more flexibility and give added protection on the ends.

**AyeJay** · 09-15-2017, 11:59

Originally Posted by HillbillyHanger

I use an 11' hammock and I use a 12' tarp. I bought the 12' when I was just starting. If I were buying a new tarp today, I would be very tempted to buy one of the new Warbonnet tarps (Minifly) with the small doors. The 12' tarps great, however, it sometimes presents a challenge when the distance between two trees is not idea. I'm thinking of buying one of the Minifly tarps as it would give me more flexibility and give added protection on the ends.

I had a look at the Warbonnet Minifly, it's not bad!

I ended up ordering the Asym tarp from SLD in a 14' length. I was speaking to Jared about it and he was telling me that for the asym designs you want more length on the ends than with the retangular designs as there's less coverage towards the ends. The only disadvantage of that length is it's a longer way between trees than a shorter tarp.

I wanted the asym design for weight, this 14' asym is still only 220 grams. Oh and price is $70. To be honest if it wasn't for having hanging options I might have gone even longer seeing as though the weight and price is low. For each foot added to the asym's ridgeline, you add 20 grams, which is nothing. You could have a 16 foot asym ridgline and still only be at 260 grams.

Another good thing I just learnt is you can turn it upside down if you want to orientate the other way. Anyway if you want one foot beyond your ridgeline for the rectangular design, I figured you want 2 foot clearance on each end for the asym design. As my ridgeline will be around 10 foot, I'm going with 14 foot tarp ridgeline.

**LTMillar** · 09-15-2017, 12:13

Thank you (and fwbutler) for the share of the calculator!

**Oms** · 09-16-2017, 10:33

I've always used a 10' tarp with a 10' hammock and so on. To long of a tarp will make it harder to suck up (hang higher) into the tarp when the extra protection is needed due to wind, rain or snow.

**AyeJay** · 09-16-2017, 12:42

Originally Posted by Oms

I've always used a 10' tarp with a 10' hammock and so on. To long of a tarp will make it harder to suck up (hang higher) into the tarp when the extra protection is needed due to wind, rain or snow.

I'm trying to visualize what you're saying but I'm just not getting it

Not sure how different lengths of the tarp affects the hanger's ability to go higher or lower, or the tarp to go higher or lower. I can see if the sides are long then you might not be able to cocoon yourself in as well, but can't see how length affects it.