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  1. #1
    Member ccathcart72's Avatar
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    Tarp Guy Line Length

    This has probably been discussed before and I know everyone does their own thing but I was wondering how long long of a guy line you use on your tarp tie outs. I am making some out of small diameter braided Dyneema and was wondering what others think about length. I plan on useing taut line hitches so I can easily adjust the length. I am starting with a length of cord that is between 7-8 ft. So with the taut line hitch it can be adjusted from about 3.5ft. to about 7ft.

    I appreciate any input you have.

    Chris

  2. #2
    Senior Member opie's Avatar
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    7-9 feet is pretty common.

  3. #3
    Member ccathcart72's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by opie View Post
    7-9 feet is pretty common.
    Thanks for the quick reply Opie.

  4. #4
    Senior Member sclittlefield's Avatar
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    I like 7ft. Bring a little extra as add-on if needed.
    DIY Gear Supply - Your source for DIY outdoor gear.

  5. #5
    Member ccathcart72's Avatar
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    I have another question that goes along with this.

    The cord I am using is very small in diameter (about 1.5mm). I would like to use this as a tarp ridge line but I am not sure if there are issues with a tarp ridgeline being too small. I have a couple of prusik loops attached and they work well but I need a way to tighten the line. The small Figure 9 I believe only goes down to about a 2mm cord. Any input on this would be appreciated also.

    Thanks,
    Chris

  6. #6
    Senior Member WV's Avatar
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    If it's a hollow braid, then using a small piece of wire or a Cortland No-Knot tool to make a whoopey sling is great. If your tarp has reinforcements at the ridgeline tieouts there should be no problem. When you tighten the sides, make sure the ridge tie-outs stay centered over the reinforcements. I've used taut line hitches with spectra as small as 130lb test (much smaller than yours, I think), and they work, but spectra is slippery so I used knots only temporarily while experimenting, then replaced them with whoopey slings.

    I like 12' side tie-out lines because I tie to trees when I can. I also carry a couple of 12' lengths of line as spares so I can extend a line if I wish.

  7. #7
    Senior Member turnerminator's Avatar
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    The penberthy prussik will hold with the mainline being the same diameter.

    What is your cord? dyneema etc?

    I like to have a strong ridgeline in case I get hit by strong winds, and I don't trust my 1.5mm dyneema core-its 130kg rated, but I think a big gust could snap this at the knot. I use 2mm dyneema braid, having just swapped from 3mm dyneema core.

    MY guys are 7ft long 1.5mm dyneema core.

  8. #8
    Senior Member TOB9595's Avatar
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    I'm of the 12 foot length group.
    Also carry spare line to extend the lines that need it.
    Tom

  9. #9
    Member ccathcart72's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WV View Post
    If it's a hollow braid, then using a small piece of wire or a Cortland No-Knot tool to make a whoopey sling is great. If your tarp has reinforcements at the ridgeline tieouts there should be no problem. When you tighten the sides, make sure the ridge tie-outs stay centered over the reinforcements. I've used taut line hitches with spectra as small as 130lb test (much smaller than yours, I think), and they work, but spectra is slippery so I used knots only temporarily while experimenting, then replaced them with whoopey slings.

    I like 12' side tie-out lines because I tie to trees when I can. I also carry a couple of 12' lengths of line as spares so I can extend a line if I wish.
    WV,
    It is a hollow braid and I did make a whoopie sling out of it one time when I was playing around. The tricky thing with something this small is having small enough wire to go down the center for making the whoopie sling. It is doable but takes a little time.


    Quote Originally Posted by turnerminator View Post
    The penberthy prussik will hold with the mainline being the same diameter.

    What is your cord? dyneema etc?

    I like to have a strong ridgeline in case I get hit by strong winds, and I don't trust my 1.5mm dyneema core-its 130kg rated, but I think a big gust could snap this at the knot. I use 2mm dyneema braid, having just swapped from 3mm dyneema core.

    MY guys are 7ft long 1.5mm dyneema core.
    Turnerminator,
    Yes, the cord is dyneema hollow braid. It cost me nothing so I thought I would find a use for it. The cord is slippery and the prusik I tied at first was slipping but then i just added a couple extra turns in the prusik and it bites pretty good.


    Thanks again for everyones input.

    Chris

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