- - By Dancing Light Gear
These ultralight tarps are made of 1.1 ounce per yard, ripstop, siliconized nylon. They feature an overhanging beak in the front which is 18 inches long at its longest point. The tarps (without the mesh door, mesh skirt or seam sealing) weigh 10 ounces and are 9 ft. long along the back wall and taper to 6 1/2 ft. wide at the front. The width is 60 inches. The tarp shown in the photo, with mesh skirt, mesh door, seam sealing and stuff sack, weighs 15 ounces. (All sizes and weights are approximate).
The tarp has no center seam. The only seam is on the perimeter, and where the beak is sewn into the front. The beak also has a seam in its center.
In the photos, the tarp is pitched at a height of 45 inches in the front, and the height of the back wall (using the hiking pole) is 27 inches.
The cost of the basic tarp is $80. All models include the beak, regardless of options. A silnylon stuff sack is included, and it measures (when flat) about 5 inches wide and 12 inches long (about 130 cubic inches). The stuff sack has a drawcord and cord lock closure.
All loops are reinforced and are sewn into the perimeter every 2 1/2 feet. In addition, 2 loops are are placed along the back for placing a hiking pole to create a wall (see photo below).
A mesh skirt, a mesh door, and seam sealing are available as options. The cost and approximate weight of each of the options are shown below:
Mesh Skirt (Item #2055A):
The mesh skirt is approximately 8 inches long and is sewn into the perimeter along the sides and back. The weight of the skirt is approximately 2 ounces, and the cost is $25.
Mesh Door (Item #2055B):
The mesh door is made of nylon mesh, and it features a "drop down" design. The top and sides of the door are sewn into the tent. When not in use, it can be rolled up and secured with hooks and loops on either side of the door. When in use, the end can be secured with rocks, boots or other gear items. The mesh door weighs approximately 3 ounces and the cost is $25. The door has a staking point which can be used to secure it to the ground.
Seam Sealing (Item #2055C):
We use a high quality silicone based sealant which provides a very hard and durable finish. We seal the seam in front where the beak is sewn onto the tarp, and also the seam that runs the length of the beak. We also seal the reinforcement patch used to create the back wall. This seam sealing will add approximately a half ounce of weight to the tarp. The cost of seam sealing is $10.
We do not maintain an inventory of the tarps; they are made as orders are received. Therefore, expect delivery to take 3 - 4 weeks from the time your order is placed. When we receive your order, we will send a confirmation e-mail and let you know the approximate date we expect to ship your tarp. We will send another e-mail when the tarp is actually shipped. Please be certain to include your e-mail address and daytime phone number on our order form. (We don't share this information with anyone.)
The tarps are available in either medium gray (shown) or black. Please specify color and the options (if any) that you wish to order with the tarp. For example: "Tacoma Tarp (Item 2055) - Color: Gray, Options: Mesh Skirt (Item 2055A), Seam Sealing (Item 2055C)".
The fabric used for these tarps may contain minor cosmetic blemishes. These blemishes do not affect the quality of the fabric.
These tarps will be available only for a limited time (until Brawny stops sewing in order to prepare for her AT hike in March 2002). We will offer the tarps again when she returns this fall.
Item #2055 - $80 (plus any options selected)