I'm nearly sold on the idea of a parachute. Subject to finding a 40' one, I've found a 6m alu alloy scaffold pole for about £30 - so price-wise this would be hard to beat for under £100.
I don't want to place the perimeter of the canopy so close to the floor, as to create a sealed tent - I wanted a good amount of open headroom, as in Wayland's post http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77447 so we can walk underneath and get some cooling airflow. Ideally, I wanted to put my biggest tent (25sqm, 3.1m at highest point) under the canopy to get some relief from the heat (which is the reason for the 40' canopy)
Unlike in the shelter shown in Wayland's thread, we're going to be in an much more exposed site - a few natural windbreaks but nothing very sheltered. I'm not sure it would work with a monopole, as I can't imagine how securely I would be able to guy the thing out. In a moderately strong wind I can see the such a huge thing lifting right up with ease.
The other option is splashing out on more scaffolding poles and putting two of these together. They're 200gsm and block out "90%" of uv rays:
http://www.primrose.co.uk/coolaroo-desert-sand-sail-shade-square-p-42767.html?cPath=85_769&src=list_img
or buying this by the metre and having a go with the sewing machine (350gsm, 95-98%)
http://www.solentsailshades.co.uk/shop/commercial-95-shop.html
Bl**dy glad it's easier to build a cob house than design this infernal shade
I don't want to place the perimeter of the canopy so close to the floor, as to create a sealed tent - I wanted a good amount of open headroom, as in Wayland's post http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77447 so we can walk underneath and get some cooling airflow. Ideally, I wanted to put my biggest tent (25sqm, 3.1m at highest point) under the canopy to get some relief from the heat (which is the reason for the 40' canopy)
Unlike in the shelter shown in Wayland's thread, we're going to be in an much more exposed site - a few natural windbreaks but nothing very sheltered. I'm not sure it would work with a monopole, as I can't imagine how securely I would be able to guy the thing out. In a moderately strong wind I can see the such a huge thing lifting right up with ease.
The other option is splashing out on more scaffolding poles and putting two of these together. They're 200gsm and block out "90%" of uv rays:
http://www.primrose.co.uk/coolaroo-desert-sand-sail-shade-square-p-42767.html?cPath=85_769&src=list_img
or buying this by the metre and having a go with the sewing machine (350gsm, 95-98%)
http://www.solentsailshades.co.uk/shop/commercial-95-shop.html
Bl**dy glad it's easier to build a cob house than design this infernal shade
