light weight tarp please help

Dave Canterbury recently released this video on his Pathfinder School You Tube channel. The video is about winterizing your hammock, but he has a tip in it on how to hang your hammock as well.

[video=youtube;ihyNZHk-jL4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihyNZHk-jL4[/video]
 
I am going to go with an Etowah tarp. I have been debating for the longest time. It looks great. And the price is right, too.
 
Just use an old tent rainfly...I found mine in the woods near an old homeless camp! works perfectly and just needed to be cleaned since it was half buried for god knows how long :D
 
shockjockey24 said:
Just use an old tent rainfly...I found mine in the woods near an old homeless camp! works perfectly and just needed to be cleaned since it was half buried for god knows how long :D
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That is what I currently have. Some years ago a person bought a new tent and abandoned it when the holiday weekend was over. The rainfly was in like new shape (tent was trashed) and I keep it in my canoeing drybox in case of sudden showers. I would like to get something more use specific though, but not at a total cost anywhere near $175. Bulk and weight aren't a big deal, but I do need it to be large enough to shelter two people in a driving rain. 5'x7' just is not big enough for that. One or both are going to get wet and no one is going to enjoy a cuppa.
 
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Smithhammer said:
I have the Eno Pro Fly. I think the PF is more versatile as an all-around fly, used with the hammock or not. The Fast Fly is designed more specifically to shelter a hammock, imo.

I also have the ENO Singlenest Hammock. Like it. Well made.
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After some more research, I switched my order from the fast fly to pro fly.
 
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Wing-Man said:
Did you see in the video where he used ropes instead of straps, so they could be used in a decent if needed?
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I don't see why the straps couldn't be used for the same purpose. They can hold 400 pounds and are nine feel long each. I also carry 100' feet of para cord.
 
For the cost you've indicated, buy Tyvek or a copy, duct tape some pullouts, use full-length cord for ridgeline and frame, and maybe use a little shock cord on the tie-downs & ridgeline for a little forgiveness. You might really enjoy the DIY way. When the fabric finally tears, you'll have plenty of money to replace it and new ideas for building it better.

For twice the cost you indicated or a little more, you can get into some serious sil-nylon in crazy cool shapes. Check out Warbonnet's hammock tarps.
 
scraca said:
I'm looking for a not too expensive light weight tarp around 6x8 or 8x10 to keep in my hiking backpack for emergencies. I plan to keep this tarp in the same compartment as my water bladder.
Would like to spend no more then $50 if possible. Suggestions greatly appreciated.
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Maybe go with a silnylon poncho. Sometimes Golite has them on sale for under 50 bucks. For 60 you could get that or a campmor anytime. I use mine often. Not only would it work as a shelter but also for raingear, windbreak, ground cloth, water trap etc etc etc. Packs down very small.

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It looks like you made your purchase already, so unfortunately I'm too late. I will leave this for posterity's sake. You can get 62" silnylon seconds for $5.50 a yard and a spool of polyester thread for $3.65 here:

www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com

Budget $9.00 for some kind of seam sealer and you could meet a $50.00 budget as well as achieve the lite weight specifications you seek. However, you would have to construct the tarp yourself.

FWIW, I've never seen a well designed and well constructed silnylon tarp for less than $85.00. Unfortunately lite weight, nice materials, and cheap aren't synonymous. This one is the best value I've seen. It doesn't cost much for what you get and it's affordable:

http://www.wildernesslogics.com/BIG-DADDY-Big-Daddy.htm
 
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