Straight vs Cat Cut Tarps

**PKT** · 12-01-2009, 19:51

I'm on the list for a blackbird so now I'm after the tarp. I just love Santa.

I liked big tarps when tent camping so I'd think for driving rain, cooking in bad weather, that it would be even more important with a hammock.

So anyway MacCat has a 12 x 15 and a 10 x 12....think 12 x 15 is overkill?

My big question is straight vs Cat-cut - I understand that the cat-cut is
better in the wind but looks like it would be at the price of LESS coverage.

Straight looks like it would do better in a heavy rain. Opinions?

**opie** · 12-01-2009, 19:54

You dont really get THAT much less coverage with a cat cut tarp. Especially in the size you are looking at. Youre only talking about a couple inches taken off between each tie out.

**PKT** · 12-01-2009, 20:00

I'm assuming that the hammock is 8' so with the 12 x 10 you only have 24" of overhang,
is that enough to keep the hammock dry? Florida it can rain at any time.

**Hooch** · 12-01-2009, 20:00

Two great winter tarps that both have cat cuts and don't sacrifice coverage at all are the JRB 10x11 and the Speer Winter Tarp. OES tarps are great as well, I won't take anything away from Brian. He delivers a great product.

**opie** · 12-01-2009, 20:08

Originally Posted by PKT

I'm assuming that the hammock is 8' so with the 12 x 10 you only have 24" of overhang,
is that enough to keep the hammock dry? Florida it can rain at any time.

24" on either end.

And if your hammock is 8' flat, its going to be less when strung up.

I had a 12x10 tarp covering my hammocks that were up side by side. I even pitched the sides up with PVC pipe. Rained all night... and hard. The next morning everything was still dry.

**PKT** · 12-02-2009, 07:12

Originally Posted by opie

24" on either end.

And if your hammock is 8' flat, its going to be less when strung up.

I had a 12x10 tarp covering my hammocks that were up side by side. I even pitched the sides up with PVC pipe. Rained all night... and hard. The next morning everything was still dry.

Thanks Opie that's the input I was looking for.
Hooch thanks for the links I'd seen the JRB site but never noticed the tarps.
I think I'll stick with the OES as he seals it and supplies a bag they’re all close in price.

**SmokeHouse** · 12-02-2009, 08:47

I’ve made several tarps and always preferred the cat cut on the ridge line. Really helps keep a tight pitch.

**Doctari** · 12-02-2009, 21:02

I have minimal experience to back this up with, I set my cat cut tarp up different from it's intended use (ridgeline straight along my hammock etc.) one time (flying wedge), and I just could not get it to work for me. SO, when I got my tarp I got the straight one. There is a less than 0.01% chance I will go to ground anytime in the foreseeable future, but I really did not like how the other tarp hung. My straight tarp doesn't hang as tight under normal use, but will set up "better" on the rare times I must do it in a different way.

That is just me tho!

Also, I think the 12 x 10 is a great size. Mine is a bit longer, but I love the room & protection provided. WELL worth the 2 lb weight penalty.

**NickJ** · 12-03-2009, 20:34

hm, just thinking out loud here, but surely you can simulate a cat cut ridge line by doing doing things:

making sure the tarp is super-tight end to end with prussics.
pulling the middle tie outs of the tarp really tight to "bow" the ridgeline down in the middle

an issue with ridge cat cuts (that i can think of as a non-engineer) is that it would be almost impossible to set up the tarp with the cat ridge cut as it should be on the plan. but on the basis that any curve is better than no curve or wind spillage, then why cant we just simulate it with the tie outs? that way there are two less difficult cuts to make, and a tricky stitching job can be avoided?

**Topplestack** · 12-04-2009, 15:38

I've made a few with and without adding a cat cut to the ridge. My summer tarp with a cat cut both ridge and edges is my favorite. The ridge has only about 1 1/2 inch cat cut, but it makes a huge difference how the ridge hangs and makes it alot easier to get the tarp hung smoothly. I think this would make the most difference for a winter tarp that might be hung in a variety of ways more then my small winter tarp as well.

Still haven't gotten around to making my winter tarp. School keeping me too busy. Have the material and a pattern, just need to find the time.