Tarp length vs. hammock length

[kc_joe]

I had a quick question that might be common knowledge around here but one that I have struggled with. I am looking to purchase my first DCF tarp (hex tarp with no doors) and while I am ready to make the investment I want to do it wisely. I'm an ultralight nerd so wanting to be as efficient as possible and the question is: What is a reasonable distance to allow for coverage? I run a fixed RL on my hammock so the length doesn't change. Would 1 foot on each side be about right? Would 6" be pushing it? I have a Superfly with doors if I'm ever going out with major rain in the forecast but I would expect this tarp to weather a storm as well.

[Clisbyclark]

Many, including myself, would agree that a tarp of any given length will adequately cover a hammock of the same length provided your hammock has a structural ridgeline which usually reduces the hammock's total length by 15 percent or so. That being said, some people who use hex tarps (Sintax77 for one) like to use to hex tarp a foot longer than their hammock-in his case a twelve foot tarp for an eleven foot hammock.

[Brooklyn]

Really personal. I've used a DCF with doors that was 10' on an 11' hammock and was totally fine. I now have an 11' DCF with my 11' hammocks and it's also totally fine, just a tad more room (and better resale value).

[SilvrSurfr]

I go with 11 ft. tarp for 11 ft. hammock. Anything bigger is just extra weight.

[TallPaul]

I’m also in the 11’ tarp for 11’ hammock club.
And instead of a longer tarp ridgeline I prefer doors (I have the standard with doors).
I’ve run into enough situations in the mountains here where swirling wind would have left me wet unless I added something else to keep the hammock ends dry. The idea of a rain kilt being used as a tarp beak always intrigued me.

[MAD777]

Like TallPaul, my preferred lightweight tarp is HG's 11' Stardard with doors. I have a 12' hex tarp and prefer that length for weather protection without doors, but the longer length has eliminated some otherwise perfect hanging spots.

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[Five Tango]

Like TallPaul, my preferred lightweight tarp is HG's 11' Stardard with doors. I have a 12' hex tarp and prefer that length for weather protection without doors, but the longer length has eliminated some otherwise perfect hanging spots.

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I second this opinion wholeheartedly.I love my 12 foot tarps but usually take an 11 because I have had occasions where only an 11 would work and even then it was a tight fit between the trees.

[Shug]

Here are some pix of my 11' XLC under my 11' DIY Blackcrow tarp. Never gotten a wet end.
Shug

[cmoulder]

The only thing worse than CBS is WBS (wet butt syndrome)

[cougarmeat]

Most my tarps are 11 ft because that seems to be standard size; though other sizes are available as options. I have a WL Old Man Winter 13 ft'er for my RR and will get a 13 SuperFly for another RR. Consider there are two schools of thought here. One is concerned mostly with keeping the hammock dry. That can be done with a "minimal" tarp. The Second is concerned about keeping the "area" around the hammock dry; not being captive in the hammock under the minimal tarp. I like to put at least one end up in porch mode (unless "porch mode is defined as using two poles). I like being able to walk up to my hammock, having a place for a camp chair, having an area, out of the rain, I can move around in. For those reasons, I use the largest tarp I can comfortably carry. But the "space between the the trees" issue is real. When I started out, I thought, "How hard can this be; trees are everywhere." Now I know it is not so easy to find and ideal combination of elements. And it gets harder with the number of people in the party and the distance between trees requirement.