I got this from an old Cliff Jacobson book. I usually hang the center peak of my rectangular tarps from an overhead line, but sometimes it takes quite a bit of rope-ology to get it done when the trees aren't in the right spot. I figured it would be nice to have an option for a center pole.

The pole pocket works pretty good. It's real solid in compression, so it should be fine for a center pole. I think I would add another strap around the blades to stiffen things up if I was using it for a corner pole.

The whole thing packs up into the paddle grip cover, less than tennis ball size and only weighs 2.2 ounces. For only 2 ounces I think I'll make a second one. On a tandem trip I always have four paddles. May as well have the option for two poles.

Great Idea, thanks for sharing. Is the material more of the Hyper 300 D? Looks good with the diamond reinforcement.

Thanks Wingnut.

Yep it's more of the Hyper D. I ordered a few yards last week for a few different projects. I agree the diamond pattern is pretty cool looking.

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This is fantastic! I think I am going to put my daughter on it, who loves to sew. You don't happen to have the pattern, do you?

Thanks Scott, and sorry but no pattern. It was from a single picture in Expedition Canoeing by Cliff Jacobson.

I bet your daughter can figure it out just from my pics. If not let me know and I can post some more detailed photos.

I will make a couple of changes when I make the next one. The velcro tabs that wrap around the shafts need to be moved out to the end of the blade pockets. That should increase stability. The commercially produced ones had the adjustable straps to fit different sized paddles. I'll be using mine with the same two paddles so I don't need adjustment. I'll just use straight webbing and reduce weight and complexity.

Here's a pic of it off the paddles.