Custom 10×7 Cuben Tarp.

Cool that you did a paper mock up. I wonder if in real life it will look like your model? I was looking at a flat tarp from ZPacks too, but then opted for a cat cut tarp, fraction heavier. I was a little worried the flat tarp would sag a bit much with a long ridge/backbone, setting the poles in would help I believe like you seem to show, not sure how you keep them in place. I'd sent a PM to someone on another forum, but never heard back about their tarping experience. I've purchased quite a few items from ZPacks the last year now, expecting some new gear this coming weekend from them. :)
Duane

First, I don't understand the second sentence – are you saying you think the AFrame is the most storm-worthy?

Second, 10×7 is kinda small, why not 10×8?

Third, since it's custom, can't you pay extra and add as many tie-outs as you want?

Gonna be a great tarp!

Whatever you decide, I would place one about 2' from the foot end, in the center. This will allow you to maintain an A-frame should you decide to pitch the foot end lower if weather calls for it. I believe MLD shows a pic of the pitch I'm talking about w/ their pro poncho.

Other than that, stick w/option 1 and move the top/center tieout to the above position.

Please show us pics of the final product!

if you do a straight rectangle you may have some issues closing up the ends without having material flapping. i think you'd want to have tieouts like in IMAGE 2. so that way you can stake the 2 tieouts and then close each end flap over one another.

similar to the images on here…

http://www.hammockgear.com/standard-cuben-fiber-tarp-with-doors/

also consider that if you have 300 tieouts you will need to carry guyline for all of them, and be willing to fiddle with all of that in the evening and again in the am. i personally dont even hang my tarp most nights just b/c i find it to be a bit of a pain in the ass after a long day. are you going to want to unwind all those attachments, stake them out, and then wind them all back up in the morning?

i'd keep it simple. 3 tieouts on each short edge. 2 on each long edge (allowing doors to be sealed shut). 2 panel pull tieouts on each side to allow the A frame structure to pull out to make the lower walls more vertical.

I have on order a 10.5' x 7 zpacks flat tarp my self. kept it simple. standard edge tie outs, but added one just like todd described. on the ridgeline a couple feet in from the end so that you can pull the roof up when in a modifed A frame pitch. More than that would seem to be getting into pretty complex guy line configurations.

I have a 6.5 x 10 cuben tarp from ZPacks. It is a standard rectangular tarp, no cat cut. It has 4 corner tie outs, 2 ridgeline tie outs, and then a tie out in the center of each long side. It also has a single panel pull out in the middle of each panel. When I bought mine, I also added a few extra stick on tie outs. This allowed me to get it home and set it up a few times, and then add the extra tie outs where I wanted them. If you are unsure about where you want panel tie outs, I would suggest to do the same. However, for side/edge tieouts, I recommend letting them add them.

I would say though, if you are planing to use this tarp set up in an A Frame so much, I would suggest to go with a cat cut tarp and just use it in an A frame all the time. This will allow you to get a bit tighter pitch.

If you think that you will be using a mixture of pitches, then go with the all flat tarp.

With mine, I intended to use it A frame mostly, but have actually used it in a half pyramid more than A frame. A 6.5 x 10 in half pyramid really opens a lot of room, however, you will need a tall pole. The wider the tarp, the taller the pole needs to be to get a good pitch with half pyramid. If taking this tarp and planning to use in the half pyramid, I will carry my LT4 and extend one all the way out.

Here are a few photos of mine:

Wow Chad, I'm impressed with the space, looks like the edges are all down to the ground and only one pole needed, with the back guyed out, so no need for a second pole if one was not using hiking poles.
Duane

Yeah Duane, there really is a pretty large amount of room in it, and that is with all 3 edges pinned right down to the ground (which of course decreases air flow). I do have my second pole pulling one of the panel tie outs up, which does make a bit of difference especially when pushing into the very back. Also, I can use my kilt as a makeshift beak on the front if I need too…

Ah, I see the second pole now. With the weather better now, I'll have to experiment with some utility tarps I have to make shelters. I had tried a big tarp maybe 10' X 12' which made for too big of a diamond shelter. Took up half an acre. My MLD Grace tarp should be nice to work with when it arrives in another 3 weeks. :(
Duane