Question about Ray Way Tarp kit

[SteveK]

Hi Everyone:

I'm brand new to the forum, but I'm considering one of the Ray Jardine Tarp and Net Tent kits. From my searches, this option looks like a good one for rain and bug protection. It looks like the whole setup would weigh in at about 25 oz.

Does anyone have any experience making or using one of these tarps from the kit ?

Thanks,

Steve

[tlbj6142]

I have not made a tarp from his kit, but I have made my own custom designed 2# 3+ person tarptent-like shelter from the same materials. Its abit of work, but not all that difficult. If you have made anything from silnylon before you'll be fine.

I have read that his instructions (you got to buy the book to get those, I think) are very well written. Taking a trip in the "way-back machine", you'll find that many folks built his tarp from the "high level" (at best) instructions in Beyond Backpacking. So, the new book has to make the job easier.

Good luck, making your own gear is quite fun.

[SteveK]

Thanks, for your quick reply:

My wife can sew quite well, so she'll be doing the sewing legwork. I'm looking for some specific feedback on the Net Tent insert, and general use of the tarp, to see if it's big enough, well designed, etc.

Thanks,

Steve

[tlbj6142]

The NetTent itself looks fine (though there are lighter options elsewhere like "bug bivies"). It makes the typical "just big enough for 2 people" space. But the tarp itself covers quite a bit more area, so you can leave your gear outside of the NetTent, yet under the tarp.

The area under his tarp is quite large (roughly 10'Lx8'W). In fact, that is the primary reason why RJ thinks his design is so great.

It does take a bit of practice to learn to setup, so make sure you try it at home a few times. Vary the height, wall angle, etc. before you hit the trail.

Is this for an AT-thru, or for general 3-season hiking?

[sierraDoug]

Check his website and read the info on his going out of business sale.

http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml
http://www.rayjardine.com/campfire/index.shtml

[SteveK]

Hi:

Thanks to all those that have replied so far. What I'm wondering is if Ray's tarps have any advantage over other tarps, such as an ultralight tarp from Campmor.

I would imagine that if I want to use the Net Tent, then Ray's tarp has all the connection points already set up to use it, whereas I may have to add these points to a ready made tarp from someone else.

Any more insights to this would be appreciated !

Steve

[tlbj6142]

Thanks to all those that have replied so far. What I'm wondering is if Ray's tarps have any advantage over other tarps, such as an ultralight tarp from Campmor.Honestly, his tarp isn't any better than a large flat tarp say 10'L x 8'W. Now if you start using a small tarp (7'Lx4.5'W), you have made a choice that requires significantly different behavior than using a large tarp.
I would imagine that if I want to use the Net Tent, then Ray's tarp has all the connection points already set up to use it, whereas I may have to add these points to a ready made tarp from someone else.Actually, I wouldn't be too surprised to find several loops on the underside of any large flat tarp. Though, as you mentioned, it wouldn't take but a few seconds to sew a couple of loops on a Campor tarp if needed.

[jh24463]

My wife and I sewed a tarp/net tent combo with a Ray Way kit. We are having a love/hate relationship at this moment. We love the openess, the versatility, the weight, the room etc... But the few complaints that we have are with the net tent. We find the door flap opening is extremely hard to get in an out of, with only the small gap at the bottom. The second complaint is the head room. In 'fine' but buggy weather we can raise the tarp way up, allowing lots of headroom, but the net tent allows us to only sit slouched over and leaning toward the middle(I am only 5'10" and my wife is only 5'6"). The third complaint is that when you are in the net tent you can not reach all of that great space that surrounds you between the net tent and the edge of the tarp.

Fortunately, we believe in the Jardine tradition of modifying purchased gear. The solution for us is to open up the side of the net tent so that we can reach all around (still being able to seal closed for bugs). We are also working on how to angle up one end (may need some extra material sewn in) to give the head room needed to sit up.

In closing, we love tarping but are still working some of the bugs out(in our opinion) of this design. We have no complaints about materials or directions provided.

Josh

[tlbj6142]

The Campmor tarps are made by www.equinoxltd.com (http://www.equinoxltd.com) maybe their site will give you more info about tie-outs, etc. Also, check out www.cattarp.com (http://www.cattarp.com) as they carry both Catenary Tarps (duh!) and flat tarps. His site is a bit clunky, so make sure you click on every link. Eventually you'll learn quite a bit about tarps. He also carries a bug net thingy as well.

[SteveK]

Thanks everyone for all your help -

At this point, I think the best solution for me would be a Tarptent, and I'm leaning towards the Cloudburst. It seems to combine the best attributes of weight, bug protection, convenience, etc.

I have hiked on the AT, but never through-hiked. My reason for having this equipment is to do general 3 season hiking throughout the U.S., now primarily in the mid-west.

Steve :D

[justusryans]

I love our Cloudburst. A excellent investment.

[Rambler]

I made a tarp from Beyond Backpacking then bought a mosquito netting set up from Golite. I have never used the netting in the field. The tarp is great for two people, and I added a re-enforcement patch in the center, so I can put a pole in the middle which helps keep the sag out of the sides. The neting is too heavy and all that netting over one's head is unnecessary. In bug season I use homemade tarp tents. I have a small one and a double. Recently, I made one from the pattern on sixmoondesigns website. It has a catenary cut which I hope will help keep out the sag. Tarp tents work fine, but as soon as bugs are gone, I use a tarp. I can use the same tarp over a hammock. I like the beaks on the Ray's tarp. His tarp book gives dimensions. They work well to block wind. Tarps without a beak can just be set lower to the ground to protect from wind. Owareusa has a good system for giving their tarps the shape of a beak if one is needed. Move an end point tie out in about a foot. Use the tuck-in-a-cork method! I use tarps in the winter, too, unless above tree line.