5 sided Tarp - Prototype 1! (Pic heavy)

[snozz]

I found about 30 metres of silicon coated material (not sure 100% what!) but it's light and the best thing was, it was only 50p a metre in a discount material warehouse. Being silicon coated, the water just beads on top.

My partner then set about making me a very nice 5 sided pentagonal tarp - I'd seen some on the web and they looked to be very versatile.

1st time out today, and we may have to rethink the 5 sided aspect. I don't know what the angles on the commercial 5 sided tarps are like, but mine doesn't touch equally on all 5 sides. Infact, making it into a 4 sided pyramid shape made all 4 sides peg down really well.

I experimented with various openings, having 4 points pegged down and leaving one up as an awning. I didn't erect it under a tree so couldn't tie it all up (and it was in the park, and I was supposed to be pushing the kids on the sledge!)

Managed to get free buckles from the local outdoor shop (Chevin Trek) and the webbing was about £2, so all in all, for about £10 I have something usable and unique. Now to try it out for real!

If anyone out there has a commercial pentagonal tarp - what angle does each side make at the top?

Some pics:

In the bag - made out of the same material:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuQb0MRII/AAAAAAAACjk/khlOWC2_OaY/DSCF5980%20%28Medium%29.JPG

As a 4 sided Pyramid
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuR08u-rI/AAAAAAAACjs/nHjcRdsc8FE/DSCF5983%20%28Medium%29.JPG

Underneath
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuS5Y1jCI/AAAAAAAACj0/3t2uN7bytAY/DSCF5985%20%28Medium%29.JPG

Other Side
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuU-hSzDI/AAAAAAAACkE/nUPnxGV9bl0/DSCF5989%20%28Medium%29.JPG

Tightening Strap
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuVfafnZI/AAAAAAAACkI/TBoLDG4nESk/s512/DSCF5990%20%28Medium%29.JPG

Boy inside!
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuWnBUbvI/AAAAAAAACkU/hKnpBl1cfRE/s512/DSCF5993%20%28Medium%29.JPG

Need a stronger pole!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuXk8OLRI/AAAAAAAACkc/Fgc8Ks_BHSs/DSCF5995%20%28Medium%29.JPG

Creating an Awning
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_25gIpFw0Mbs/S0iuYW4qIXI/AAAAAAAACkk/lY__Bz3pvSs/DSCF5997%20%28Medium%29.JPG

[andybysea]

Good stuff particularly like it in bottom pic, useful size and shape.

[widu13]

Liking that too. Use in the bottom config during the day and if (when) blowing a hoolie and raining drop the front down for more weather protection. It's a nice design. goodjob

[OliveDrabnotDPM]

Ditto the last post.
BTW where did you get the material? I'm not far from Otley myself.
Best regards
Duncan

[baggins]

Have a look in army surplus shops, i bought some decent aluminium tent poles in 18" sections at £3 each, they'd be great for supporting your tarp and alot stronger than that bendy pole. i use mine for supporting a parachute as a sun shade.

[sandbender]

I like that, very practical.

:)

[IanGilroy_2]

If the tarp is a regular pentagon the angle would be 72degrees between each radial.
I like the idea, it looks brill.

[snozz]

The angles are 72 degrees, but it doesn't pull tight across all sides when anchored as a pentagon. I'll have to play around with it some more - maybe try different length poles in the middle, or suspend from a tree so I can experiment with heights etc.

The material is from a shop called "The Shuttle" at Shipley, and it really is pot luck what is in there. http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-shuttle-shipley

Snozz

[RAPPLEBY2000]

can you suspent it from the center like a parachute? if so that's a good selling point!
Do the edges all reach the ground it looks like there's a gap all the way around?


goodjob obviously very well made! looks a bit nippy inside though!

[snozz]

It can be suspended from the centre. Haven't tried that yet though.

All the edges do reach the ground - I didn't peg it out fully as the ground was frozen and I didn't have enough pegs to do this properly.
Hopefully going away in 2 weeks so will erect it properly then.

I have a hooped bivi, so this is really just to provide a bit more shelter

Cheers
Snozz

[Sainty]

If the tarp is a regular pentagon the angle would be 72degrees between each radial.
I like the idea, it looks brill.

Wouldn't that be 108 degrees? The angles of a pentagon add up to 540 degrees not 360.

Martin