What tarp to be a sun shade?

[wenestvedt]

What do folks use for a tarp that's really just intended to be a sun shade?

I like to hang out my hammock in the back yard on summer afternoons, when the sun is hottest. (Also, I am pasty white and don't want to burn.) A typical tarp gets pegged down close to the ground on both sides -- but I would prefer something that let the breeze blow in on the "lee" side. This makes me think I want it to have shorter sides & longer guy lines, and maybe only cover one side of me.

Should I get some nylon or Tyvek 1443r and make a half-tarp? Should I buy a full tarp and just wrap it around the ridgeline so one side is still exposed?

Does anyone user any kind of spreader bars so the tarp can go past the ridgeline?

Thank you for any advice!

- Will

[doogie]

I only pitch the tarp low if the weather is nasty or really cold. My normal setup is in porch mode. Here is a warm winter outing.




Here is a setup in the summer. Note that I have the tarp pitched higher to allow more breeze to flow through.


I have also rigged both sides up, but don't have any photos of that.

[scottpash]

I use either of my Guide gear tarps and set them in porch mode and set the tarp a little higher if no rain is in forecast

[wenestvedt]

Oooh, porch mode seems like a perfect description of what I want!

Does anyone ever wrap the tarp around the ridgeline, to more-fully expose one side? Or would it pull the ridgeline over to the side?

Also, I am thinking that cheap Tyvek house-wrap would be fine for a sunshine-only tarp where I don't care about water.

[VictoriaGuy]

Does anyone ever wrap the tarp around the ridgeline, to more-fully expose one side? Or would it pull the ridgeline over to the side?

I don't understand how that would work; sorry.

Also, I am thinking that cheap Tyvek house-wrap would be fine for a sunshine-only tarp where I don't care about water.

Those silver color cheap plastic tarps work well as sunshades, also- I made some sunshades for my boat with them and it kept the Mexican/C.American sun at bay. Opaque and reflective is what you are after; Tyvek would probably be OK too.
UV isn't good for most fabrics, so your idea of something cheap vs. your good camping tarp is excellent, IMO.

[Likeapuma]

Oooh, porch modeDoes anyone ever wrap the tarp around the ridgeline, to more-fully expose one side? Or would it pull the ridgeline over to the side?

Do you mean just staking one side down & throwing the other side up & over? I do that when it's nice out & I don't feel like looking up at a tarp... And it's easy to stake out if the weather turns.

[wenestvedt]

Do you mean just staking one side down & throwing the other side up & over?

Exactly, yes. :7) And when you put it that way, it does seem st00pidly simple!

[Nodust]

Get a 8x10 blue tarp from the hardware store and hang it diagonally. Perfect sunshade for less than $20.

Or get a 10'x12' and hang it squared with the hammock.

Porch mode FTW. Unless it's going to rain or a cold wind blowing.