The classic tarp configuration Looks so simple but surprisingly difficult to master. Have watched many a family trying to put a tarp up like that and then giving up and putting it back in the bag, including us on our first try
OH hasn't really appreciated my achievement in all its glory.
Yes Mucker, it was sunny (ssssh) but put up to protect against possible wet stuff today - typically we have planned a (speak very quietly) BBQ with friends.
Still, I enjoyed having a play and even prouder I did it alone. Then again, OH and I don't always share the same mental plan so had I worked with him it may not have had such an aesthetically pleasing and peaceful outcome. I don't want to take it down.
Only thing I didn't do, was the catenary (?) guy between the two main poles, and I understand now why they can improve things.
I enjoyed revisiting the origami post and all the advice and ideas on there.
Enjoy your weekends whether under canvas of all types or tiles
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
I've had a further play today with the Clingons I bought x years ago too
It worked wonderfully as a dining shelter last night and OH and I have enjoyed afternoon tea (well, mugs of tea and a cake) keeping beautifully dry whilst it pelted down outside.
Now, how to pitch so the rain drains off without having to do the punching in the air game or taking an unwanted shower...
Thanks again
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Just been outside to check on the installation after a mahusive downpour... only to find the tarp holds an awful lot of water...
I need to rethink my design along similar lines to yours Geoff - with a rain gutter. Or construct a Swiss chalet style steep sloping sides confection rather then the seaside bungalow elevation achieved above.
Selfie verdict: a good effort but needs more practice and application
I don't think I've bent any poles...mmmm.
Ah well, something to think about during the 'off' months and practice my half-hitches and prusik knots and all.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
If you are leaving it up a while, first off, I would double up the guys on the front and rear poles at each end of the ridge. Have them coming out at a "V", preferably 45-60 deg apart. That'll simply make it a little stronger, and less susceptible to winds.
As for holding water, first thing is to make sure all guys are tight* and that you have no creases in the tarp (or as minimal as you can manage).
*If you are concerned about rips or strains, maybe consider a bungee between each guy and each guy attachment point? Not something I've felt the need to try to be honest, but that's not to say it's not a good idea!
From your pic, the next step is simple. Add one guy (no pole) to the centre of each long side, and send sharply to ground, so as you pull that point outwards (away from ridge) and down to ground, to form a tight gully. You may well need to slacken off the corner guys first, form the gully, then re-tighten the corners.
How deep those gully's need to be depends on all sorts of factors, including the pitch of the roof as it stands now, the actual size of each roof slope, the tightness of the material, and who knows... maybe even the material itself? It could be that a gully point 2" below the height of your corners may suffice, but I would suggest to try 4" to 6" for starters. Afterall, we don't want things so low as to affect access and/or head height etc.
Obviously, if you don't have an attachment point to form those gullys, then the Clingons come in to play. Excellent bit of kit, and perfect for this particular application.
The whole of the above can be achieved, on initial practice, (Fiddling around/having a play/experimenting, call it what you will!) within 5 to 15 mins, (depending on whether you have a cuppa on the go at the same time), and certainly by oneself.
Very worthwhile, and the perfect accompaniment to any Bank Holiday Monday spent in one's garden.
Remember, a slack/sagging tarp, or even a tight one with creases, could hold water. A small (eg 10mm deep) puddle on top will weigh down the material more, thus allowing room for a 20mm deep puddle at that point, which will force the material to sag further, allowing a 30mm deep puddle to form... you get the picture!!
It must all run off, otherwise the worst could happen!
Remember also... it needs to be fun, dare I say even relaxing!
Enjoy!
bridgey, The one thing I can highly recommend is a ridge pole, like This It makes tarping so much easier and means no ridge line knots, etc. As for your swiss style effect did you mean something like this. Its fine if you are a short ar5* like us.
Evening all, thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions and opinions - even the wicked ones Campernic One way to treat inconsiderate neighbours...
Well, after running outside last night to release the beast and let all both deep pools (don't know the calculation of depth:slope but it was A LOT) out of the tarp. I am amazed nothing snapped, broke or tore. I dropped down the poles and let the whole thing drape over the patio table overnight - fortunately it wasn't windy... (I hadn't factored that in doh ). This morning, the table and chairs and tablecloth were bone dry (so Quechua tarp gets gold stars for that and I folded it all up for a future playtime/experimentation/fiddle and phaff/camp research).
Thanks so much for the advice:
Yes Mucker, two guys for each main pole would be better for sure, and the gully/V at each long side makes sense but with Clingons as there aren't any eyelets or loops at that point annoyingly.
Geoff - ridge pole looks a good idea and so neat and you can hang things from it too, I do enjoy a bit of hanging stuff from poles. I'm wondering if all the king poles I already have could be utilised in some way to achieve that as I hadn't used all the sections... they seem to be growing like Tribbles. OH is 6ft so the Swiss Chalet has to be a tall one, not a gingerbread house
I'm now wishing I'd kept not ebayed the Obelink tarp I bought and NEVER used, well, fiddled with spectacularly badly in the garden once, decided it was vast and sold for a loss... I could have made it smaller and shaped it even. What was I thinking???
You're all right - tarping is addictive.
Watch this space
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Topic: I`ve finally tarped...
One way to treat inconsiderate neighbours...
