Re: [Paddlewise] Wing shelters

At 10:07 AM 3/12/99 -0500, Bob wrote:
>One of the paddlers on last weeks overnight trip to Ten Thousand Islands had
>a wing shelter. It was worth it's weight in gold around noon, when the sun
>was at it's hottest. It was almost cool underneath. It was the first thing
>up and the last to be packed, and provided all the paddlers with sun shelter
>during our stay on Picnic Key.
>
>I've seen catalogs with the Moss, REI and Walrus shelters. Prices vary from
>$49 to $199 for what seems like the identical shelter. In addition, there
>seems to be a variety of poles available. Some are steel and others are
>aluminum, both shock corded and telescoping.
>
>This shelter seems like the ideal accessory, even for a day paddle, for a
>more refreshing lunch break.
>
>What are the groups experience with wing shelters?
>

I love'm! (Slight conflict to declare:my employer sells Moss, but I get no
direct benefit from their sale, nor am I a spokesperson for either my
employer or Moss.) 

For many years I used a basic nylon tarp. It worked, but required careful
rigging if it was not to accumulate vast pools of water which would decant
onto you and your stove at the worst possible moments.
A couple of years back I bit the bullet and bought a Moss Vista Wing for
more than 5 times the price of my old nylon tarp. What you're paying for is
the exquisite tailoring, particularly the catenary cut (the ridge line is
cut in a gentle arc so the tarp hangs between the end points without
bagging and ruckling, and the edges are scalloped rather than straight.)
Worth it? I think so. Set-up is much faster and easier, no water pools and
the unit is very wind stable. If you're only using it for a sunshade and
not in much wind, it may not be worth it to pay such a vast premium, but
here on the Wet Coast, where, particularly in spring, fall and winter, it's
windy and can rain as often as twice a week (once for three days, and once
for four), the Vista Wing is worth its weight in gold (which is about what
it costs, especially with our Canadian dollar worth about as much as the
ruble in relation to the Yankee buck!) 
Note that the Para Wing and its brethren are simpler cuts with only one
scallop per side, while the Vista Wing and the other Wings, which can also
be used as extensions to Moss tents, are more elaborate, and more expensive.

Happy camping.
Philip T.
N49°16' W123°08' 
"The opinions expressed in this posting are not necessarily those of my
employer, or indeed, of any sentient being."
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