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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Another MEC tarp vote. I have the guide and scout tarps both have proven to be solid for the price.

I have the MEC Guide, Scout and Super tarps and they are all fantastic. For base camping I'll bring the Super Tarp. It is ridiculously large and bulky but the coverage is incredible. The most versatile is the Guide as the size seems to be a good mix of ample coverage and decent packability. The Scout gets the least amount of use as I find it a bit small for most types of tripping I do.

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I like the Aquaquest line, nice and light, huge variety of sizes. Lots of tie outs including the ridge line for lots of setting up options, they are light, very tough and waterproof with taped seams and very well stitched. Multiple colour choices as well. I just had a 10x10 delivered same day from Amazon for $120. They make many different styles and types. They are also a Canadian company located in BC. Tonnes of options out there, as long as it meets your needs, has good quality and keeps your pocket book happy that is all that really matters.

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Outbound2Explore

Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit. ~ Edward Abbey

I can vouch for the giant Aquaquest tarp, which I picked up on sale two years ago. 20' x 13', really 19' x 12' when all is said and done. Used for group canoe camping in Algonquin. The sewing was fine, tie-outs where you expect them, and plenty of space for 7 of us in the rain to keep wood dry and cook on our stove. At that size, you really need to tie it out at every possible point, as the surface area means the wind can really get ahold of it if you're not careful. Weight is considerably less than a Canadian Tire-style blue or brown metal-grommet tarp. But you pay for that.

Only downside was the stuff sack, which was a bit tight. I repurposed it and found a bigger one.
I Highly recommend this tarp if you are doing a lot of group camping.

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I'm still pondering another (3rd) tarp. The Chinook large at LaCordée is a polyurethane coated ripstop, a 12'x14' goes for 80 bucks, the 9"x12' medium is $50. Fairly affordable yes, but it isn't silnylon. My small Chlorophylle coated tarp which I'd like to upsize packs the same size and weight as my 12'x14' CCS silnylon. I really appreciate the better fabric.
I started tarp life with just the small one, maybe 10'x10' that feels much smaller. It's curious how you manage to fill up the living space under a larger one; they only feel ridiculously overly large in the beginning until you start sharing it with others, especially when rigged as a lean, family room over here lounge over there. Tarps are expensive yes, but easily become integral to comfortable camp life. But to fit friends and family all under a 9'x 12' tarp they'd have to be real good friends and family. When the winds pick up and the rain comes sideways a bigger tarp space goes from luxury to necessity, otherwise the good friends and family start to play a game we call "let's draw straws to see who stands outside". Just kidding.