Put in perspective, I use a 9' x 9' (81 sq. feet) silnylon for solo use. It's a perfectly suited size, and keeps me and my gear dry in all kinds of storms. It has a center loop which helps rig it up well for headroom. (I also carry an emergency shelter nylon tarp that's even smaller @ 6' x 6')

But these small sizes are unsuited for groups. I would double the square footage at least.

... so the reason I was asking about size is because everyone's been touting the MEC Guides tarp, but as good as it is, at 9.5 x 12.5, it's not really large enough for the OP's requirements, right?

Hi sepandee,
I sprung for a CCS tarp last year. 15x15. We used it 13 times on an 11 day trip - 3 people. I agree with the others that 10x10 is too small for a 6 person group.
There were a couple of occasions that 15x15 was too large for the area we had to put the tarp up, but with all the various rigging options we were able to make it work.
So far I'm very satisfied with the purchase.
rab

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I guess not. The Guide (12.79' x 9.51') is 121 sq. ft. Good enough for 4 people, not 6.

I've been eyeballing these for a while. They look impressive, especially with all the tie outs. Prices on Amazon.ca seem a little better than on the website. Anybody have actual experience with these?

god*amn tarps are expensive!

Yes they do, thinking almost double the size. When we are a large group the poly tarp is next to the fire and silnylon one back from the fire.
We frequently paddle with as many as 8. Two tarps( sometimes three) are needed depending on wind and rain.

For years, I used a 12 x 16 brown on one side/green on the other poly tarp from crappy tire, regularly on sale for under $20. I'd tie a pinch of dirt behind the grommets with a constrictor knot ... with a fixed loop on the free end, so they're much less likely to tear out than the grommets in a heavy gust of wind. Every few years I'd replace it. For that price, no big deal.

Bulky? Yes. Heavy, yes relatively ... but when base camping with a few short portages, you can get by without "light and lean." We did.
.

A couple of folks over at Algonquin Adventures just got some. Keep checking as they test them out...http://algonquinadventures.boardhost.co ... hp?id=2078

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