What About a SQUARE Tarp?

[JasonACraft]

The UQP has become extremely popular in the last couple of years. However, when I ask the question "What if my tarp coverage isn't adequate?" I never hear myself answering, "Get a UQP." My answer is always, "Get a proper tarp with proper coverage."

This, sounds like the experience of someone with 7k+ posts.

[SilvrSurfr]

This, sounds like the experience of someone with 7k+ posts.

My, what witty repartee! Well done for someone with 167 posts!

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repartee

Though honestly, I can't be sure if you're mocking me or agreeing with me!

[JasonACraft]

My, what witty repartee! Well done for someone with 167 posts!

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repartee

Though honestly, I can't be sure if you're mocking me or agreeing with me!

I came here to learn, apparently more than just hammocks.

[Floridahanger]

Seems to me that you have figured out the 2 dimensional layout. But, we live in a 3 dimensional world.

The higher the tarp is hung, the less coverage for rain/wind because most rain comes down at an angle, even if just slightly. This presents a real world problem with a diamond/Asym tarp. To "fix" this(many don't see as a problem), you hang the tarp low when bad weather approaches and raise the tarp with great sky above you. Then you would use items you may already have like a poncho or rain jacket to cover the end the rain is coming in from.

You may want to consider if you want a hammock hugging tarp that you may rub against when getting out of the hammock for the sake of a little less weight/bulk or a larger tarp you can hang several feet above the hammock to stand tall and stretch for a little more weight/bulk.

As far as a tarp that contacts the ground, anything on the ground adds potential to damage the tarp reducing it's effectiveness. A few rips near the edges are no problem on a low tarp, but a bigger problem when the tarp is above your hammock bed and insulation on a minimal coverage tarp.

Find what your comfortable with and your desired goals. You may end up with multiple tarps for different skill sets and situations.

[Boston]

My, what witty repartee! Well done for someone with 167 posts!

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repartee

Though honestly, I can't be sure if you're mocking me or agreeing with me!

It's all about comma placement!

[JasonACraft]

My, what witty repartee! Well done for someone with 167 posts!

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repartee

Though honestly, I can't be sure if you're mocking me or agreeing with me!

I was, so tired. Last night. I missed this, last line. I was not mocking. Merely stating, there's some weight to your, point of view, that one must, take into consideration.

Please read that in your best Shatner.

[Scubahhh]

Have you thought about a slightly larger square tarp?

8X8 has a diagonal ridgeline of somthing like 11', I think. 10X10 has just over 14'. Big difference, eh?

You can also have even more origami fun playyng around with a 10X10 tarp on teh ground.

In terms of weight, yuou're looking at the differnecce between about 6 oz. vs. 8 1/2, which is no big deal.

Now the $$$ may be adifferent opporutnity entirely ;-)

Have fun!

[sargevining]

I did a quick sketch in Autocad using your dimensions. Assuming that the ridgeline is place at 7'-0" above the ground, and the pitch of the tarp is ~30* a 6'-0" tall person laying at 15* to the ridgeline in the center of the hammock and the hammock centered on the tarp would be well under the overhead coverage of the tarp. However, if the lowest point of the hammock is ~30" above the ground, the ends are exposed at the sides. This is mitigated by lowering the ridgeline of the tarp. If the ridgeline of the tarp is at the same height as the ridgeline of the hammock (and at around 5'-0" from the ground), you will get adequate coverage from sideways blowing rain, but just barely. As mentioned, a UQP can and will provide more protection from rain. That's what its for. Its why its made of a water-resistant material. This should allow you to protect your hammock from sideways blowing rain if the tarp ridgeline is between 6'-0" and 5'-0" above the ground. What effect that may have on your personal weight preferences is up to you, but if you're going to carry a UQP anyway, the point is moot.

This all assumes that wind and rain will be coming in parallel to the ground. IMHO, if the wind and rain are doing that, you've got more problems than just staying dry.

I personally find that a tarp that low is uncomfortable to get around in. (But at 62 years old, any kind of bending over is uncomfortable.) But I think its safe to say that if you have experience in ground tarps, you'd likely find a tarp ridgeline 5 feet off the ground to be liberating.

I should say that the geometric variations are almost infinite, and its difficult to get the assumed curvature of the hammock and the effects that a diagonal lay will have on its shape. Site selection is also going to have a lot to do with effectiveness and pitch.

[PapaSmurf]

Question is, is an8.5 X 8.5 tarp gonna provide enough coverage to protect a hammock whose effective length (that is, 'hung' length) is just over 9 feet?

Tad small for any real bad weather, but could easily get you through a Summer if you don't have bigger.

[nothermark]

You might want to bear in mind that Hennessy gets away with a small tarp by attaching it to the hammock not a separate ridge line. That way it sags with you instead of letting you sag out from under it. All it takes is a couple of prussic loops on the tarp lines. ;-)