Big Blue Setup
When Baron Leo made the requirement that the Dreiburgen Baronial Pavilion should be possible to erect it with as few as two persons. Big Blue’s design engineer Lord Aladric of Litchfield decided to take that requirement one step further and design a large group pavilion that was possible for one person to setup.
Looks are deceiving
Most people look at Big Blue and think that it is a massively hard tent to put up. Many of these same people will also gladly put up a Tentmaster or a Panther Pavilion thinking that it’s easier than Big Blue setup. How wrong they are.
When these people look at Big Blue they only see its size and the ropes that streach out farther from the roof than the average Pavilion. What they are not looking at is the number of pieces that make up Big Blue or it’s mechanics.
Lets compare Big Blue to the oval marquee Panther Pavilion that Dreiburgen owns. This table is based on just setting the roof for day use.
| Big Blue | Panther Pavilion | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof Space | 12’ X 44’ | 13’ X 18’ |
| Number of poles | 4 | 20 |
| Number of tent stakes | 26 | 22 |
| Minimum people req. to setup | 1 | 3 |
As you can see, for its size Big Blue is a much simpler pavilion. I it was made in the Napoleonic style, like most Tentmaster’s Big Blue would probably require 52 tent stakes and 58 poles just to put the roof up.
The Easiest Pavilion in the Known World
There are a number of things that make Big Blue easer to setup than most pavilions one third it’s size.
- First of course is the use of modern materials in a period design. The use of UV coated fire retardant rip stop nylon reduced the weight and bulk down to less than one third that of canvas. Had we used canvas or even a thicker synthetic it would be imposable for the roof to be handled as a single piece.
- Second of all Big Blue uses a period rope system referred to as Crow’s Feet . A single rope from one tent stake branches out in to two or more holding points. On Big Blue each Crow’s Foot converts one staked rope into four tension points. This cuts the number of tent stakes in half while increasing holding strength. (This is also why Big Blue can stand in winds up to 75 MPH)
- Third is the rope and pulley system. No struggling to stand poles up with tent material draped over them. Simply stand the poles up, and then hoist the roof in to position.
Time Allowance
How long does it take to setup Big Blue? That depends on who’s helping. With Big Blue less is more. It can be put up faster with 3 people who will take their time than with 20 people that are in a hurry. The ideal setup crew is 6 to 8 people
| Crew | Roof Only | Roof and Walls |
|---|---|---|
| 6 with experience | 15 minutes | 30 minutes |
| 6 that need instructions | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
| 1 person | 1 hour | 3 hours |
| 20 who wont listen to instructions | all day | Don’t bother just give up |
Setup Procedure
NOTE: these setup procedures are based on the pavilion having been packed up properly the last time it was used.
- RULE 1 NEVER, EVER, STEP ON THE ROOF! The material is lightweight nylon, stepping on it will cause savvier wear and shorten its life.
Step 1
Establish the site.
- The stake perimeter is a 30’ wide X 66’ long with round ends. The entire area does not need to be completely clear obstacles can be worked around (see further down).
- The area that falls with in the walls is about 15’ X 46’
- The center poles are 22 feet tall
- The Ridge of the tent is 15 feet high.
- The tent stakes are 15 feet out from the center
Decide where you want to put up Big Blue. Foe example: If you wanted Blues tent stakes 5 feet from the eric, then lay out the
- In the cans are two measuring with marks and loops to help you layout the stakes and make the pavilion easier and faster to put up. Sometimes you will have a fool on the setup crew that will say, “We don’t have time for those measuring ropes”. If this happens politely inform him that his services are not required. It is easier to set up Big Blue by yourself than to have a person like that on your crew.
Step 2
- Place the roof in the center of where you wish to put Blue up and remove it from the bag. Then fold it out as in figure 1. Notice that Front and Back are written on the roof next to the rings.
- Use the measuring ropes to help you position 4 tent stakes as in figure 2.
- Then reposition the measuring ropes as in figure 3 and drive in tent stakes next to each piece of colored tape.
- Set the four corner stakes as shown in figure 4
 figure 1 |
 figure 2 |
 figure 3 |
 'figure 4 |
