Cat cut

[cougarmeat]

I'm guessing the cat cut on the ridge line is part marketing (lighter specs) and part to give a nice taut looking line. There are numerous threads about ridge lines over vs under the tarp. For me, it's over most the time with a consideration of under during winter if I expect a snow load. In those cases I make sure I don't use a tarp with a cat cut ridge line. I haven't experienced the need for a much greater tarp height but I don't pay much attention to it either.I just need it above the hammock, angled so it doesn't pool water, and covering the hammock on both ends.

[GadgetUK437]

For me, it's over most the time with a consideration of under during winter if I expect a snow load. In those cases I make sure I don't use a tarp with a cat cut ridge line.

I don't see that as precluding a ridgeline under. After all, a rope suspended from two fixed points automatically forms a catenary curve. You just need to match the catenary of your ridgeline cord to that of the tarp (usually by slacking it a bit).

I am seriously considering my next tarp having a catenary ridge, not especially for tautness, but so that I can easily pitch it right down onto my hammock SRL in foul weather. I can do this with my short 11' tarp, because it doesn't project very far beyond my hammock ends. But with my 13' tarp, it fouls my 30° suspension lines, so I struggle to get it as low as the short one. Hence the short one gives me better side cover than the long one.


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Gadget

[cougarmeat]

The "Ridge line under" concern is because of possible wear against the seam sealer - especially in windy, stormy conditions. The under cord will form some catenary shape. But I doubt it will sag as much as the tarp itself. And the under cord can provide a path for water to get under the tarp. But there are threads and threads about over vs under. In fact, I'm going to post one in the weather sub-forum as we are quickly approaching snow time.

[GadgetUK437]

The under cord will form some catenary shape.

A cord can form any (true) catenary curve, dependant on length of cord vs length of span. As long as your tarp uses a true cat curve, then you could match it (by loosening the cord).

But I doubt it will sag as much as the tarp itself.

By this I assume you mean you are concerned about differential stretch, tarp vs cord. But that would be the same for a straight ridgeline as for a curved one.
The other points about water tracking and wear are also the same for a cat and a straight.
I use end tie-outs, snow is a very remote possibility here in the mild mild west!



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Gadget