Winter Haven Tarp...Help!

**RPJR7** · 10-14-2018, 19:56

Thinking about getting one. Main questions are as follows:

1. Cat cut or no...pro's and con's?

2. I want an internal center pole. I might not use it all the time, but if at a campground or if windy I would use it. Can you have fittings for both internal poles and external poles? Can you use trekking poles as external poles? I could see using internal poles if snowy or car camping, and using trekking poles (or no poles) if backpacking.

3. Any other thoughts or advice is welcome!

By the way I will use it sometimes with a ridge runner and other times with a gathered end.

**TrailSlug** · 10-14-2018, 20:07

I have one that is about 3 years old and it's cat cut without the center tie down. Cat cuts allow for better tensioning of the tarp. I wish it had the center tie downs/outs as this much tarp catches a lot of wind. Yes you can use both the internal and external as the external uses the "pull outs" to attach the poles and yes you can use hiking poles if you would like. I love my Winter Haven and the only thing I would change are the center tie downs.

20161120_135102.jpg

**RPJR7** · 10-14-2018, 21:21

Thanks for posting, I appreciate the info. It looks like the 12 and 13 foot tarps have the center tie down according to the website. Do you have the center pole? I wonder if the center pole works better with the non cat cut flat edge....

**Vanhalo** · 10-14-2018, 22:30

I have the 11' XL Winter Haven with a Center Pole mod.

I took the advice of TrailSlug and added the middle edge tie down and added the center pole.

I remember being glad I had the center pole mod on a windy December night when my wind chimes were going horizontal.

The door snaps are nice too.

IMG_2542.jpg IMG_2545.jpg IMG_2549.jpg IMG_2546.jpg

Customizations:

Center pole mod
Middle edge tie downs

Products
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1 x Winter Haven 4-Season Tarp
Catenary Cut Yes
Color Silpoly XL - U-Pick Color (+1 week ship time)
Door Ends With Snaps
Guyline Accessory Package None (I will use my own)
Length 11 Foot
Line Locs Swap for D-Rings (standard)
Ridgeline Cord Options None (I will use my own)
Seam Sealing Yes
Side Panel Pull Outs Yes
Tarp Pole Set No

**RPJR7** · 10-15-2018, 17:21

Thanks Vanhalo. Definitely going to get the door snaps. Nice pictures!

**RPJR7** · 10-18-2018, 17:56

Am I going to run into trouble using a gathered end hammock under a 13 foot winter haven? I know the 13 foot will work with a Ridge Runner.

**TrailSlug** · 10-18-2018, 19:46

Originally Posted by RPJR7

Am I going to run into trouble using a gathered end hammock under a 13 foot winter haven? I know the 13 foot will work with a Ridge Runner.

That's a lot of tarp. My Winter Haven is a 12ft and it works great with both my RidgeRunner and my gathered end hammocks but you may have to hang it a bit higher than you would like.

**michigandave** · 10-18-2018, 20:06

No problems here with my 12' WH and SLD 11 foot Voyageur. You'll have plenty of room under that 13 footer.

**RPJR7** · 10-18-2018, 21:42

TrailSlug,

Are you able to get the doors to fully close when using the Ridge Runner?

**morgan1840** · 10-20-2018, 08:30

I have a 13" Xenon Wide straight cut 3 pole that I use when my wife and I hang together under 1 tarp using a spreader bar at the head end of our hammocks. I can snap it completely closed at the foot end but not the head end. I also have a Silpoly XL 12' cat cut. It pitches tighter than the straight cut but not enough for me to be unhappy with the 13 footer.