MATERIAL WEIGHT

[piscator]

Guys I'm thinking of making a tarp similar to a Warbonnet mini fly.
In the Uk lightweight material choice is limited would silicone coated ripstop 65gsm sq metre be ok?
I'm not sure what Warbonnet use but the finished item is around 13oz

Just seen another supplier having PU COATED ripstop at 46gsm which would be lighter.

Any comments help appreciated

[Shug]

The specs from WB site:

What is the difference between 20d Silpoly and 30d Silnylon and which one do you recommend?
The 30D Silnylon is slightly more durable than 20D Silpoly.

In general nylon has a higher tear and tensile(breaking) strength than the same weight polyester simply because nylon is all-around stronger pound for pound than polyester is. Poly will stretch less (when soaked or otherwise) and it will absorb less water weight. Poly still stretches some, just not as much as nylon. The extra stretch of nylon adds to it’s strength though, in that it acts as a built in shock absorber during a heavy wind gust, so with poly stretching less in that situation, in theory the nylon tarp would have a lower wind load due to extra stretch.
We’ve had excellent long term durability results from our 30d Silnylon.

Ploy is said to have better UV resistance, but don’t think you can treat your tarp any differently than before, we tested a polyester tarp outside for about 2 months and the fabric lost ALOT of strength from the sun exposure, so you still want to avoid things like that regardless of whether your tarp is poly or nylon.

Shug

[bluesam3]

That's a bit on the heavy side, honestly20D sylnylon clocks in at not much more than half of that.

[piscator]

Thanks Shug and bluesam3
I think it's too heavy but have found some leads after long searches.

[bluesam3]

Thanks Shug and bluesam3
I think it's too heavy but have found some leads after long searches.

ExTex (the website I linked above) has cheap and fast shipping to the UK (with no import fees/taxes, at least for now). There's also Profabrics, though they have a more limited range of hammocking-suitable stuff, being mostly a sailing fabric shop.