Continuous Tarp ridgeline - should I change it

**Just Jeff** · 08-30-2010, 07:40

I don't use a continuous ridgeline...just tie to the tie-outs. Never saw a need for one. Tarps are usually strong enough to withstand pretty strong gusts...my MacCat has been thru ~100mph winds in Yosemite and held up fine. One of the ridgeline cords broke...which is what I want, b/c I can repair a snapped line with a square knot, but if the line is stronger than the fabric and causes the tarp to tear...that's not so easy to repair in the field.

I still use that MacCat.

If I'm not sure about the rain, I can hang it up inside the skins and get the same benefit of quick deployment as if it were over a continuous ridgeline.

Just different strokes for different folks.

**Shewie** · 08-30-2010, 15:06

Next question then ...

I think I'm going to have a play with the separate tie outs and see how I get on for a couple of trips. If I usually pace out five or six steps for a good hang distance, what would be a good length of tie to have ? My current tarp ridge is 12' and I think my "en route" Ogee is the same.
I have a 50m reel of this stuff which I'm pretty sure is similar to zing-it with a dynaglide composition. I'll be using this for my corner tie-outs on my Ogee when it comes so if I can sue this for the ridge too that would be good.

**beep** · 08-30-2010, 16:18

Originally Posted by Shewie

Next question then ...

I think I'm going to have a play with the separate tie outs and see how I get on for a couple of trips. If I usually pace out five or six steps for a good hang distance, what would be a good length of tie to have ? My current tarp ridge is 12' and I think my "en route" Ogee is the same.
I have a 50m reel of this stuff which I'm pretty sure is similar to zing-it with a dynaglide composition. I'll be using this for my corner tie-outs on my Ogee when it comes so if I can sue this for the ridge too that would be good.

The "usual" total length of a separate ridgeline is about 30 feet. Subtract for your ridgeline and you'd have 9 feet at each end. Make it 10 feet for "wiggle room" and knots, etc. If you frequent an area with big trees, carry some extra cord.

**Shewie** · 08-30-2010, 18:55

Well I've just had a play and switched some bits round. Swapped the ridge for a full length 10m 2mm dynaglide line first, then I swapped these for 4m tie outs ...

Old tarp rig - 2.35lbs or 38oz
New rig with full 2mm ridge - 1.76lbs or 27.8oz
New rig with 4m 2mm tie outs - 1.71lbs or 26.4oz

Not only has it shaved off a good few ounces but it also packs down smaller.

Thanks guys, that's made room for a 12oz steak now

**ikemouser** · 09-01-2010, 06:13

Speer no tangle/dynaglide/zing it/lash it are are lightweight options, i would never ditch my continuous ridgeline. Its so light it would make no difference. The quickness of setup that it allows me is greater IMO than the miniscule weight savings.

**Shewie** · 09-01-2010, 06:18

Originally Posted by ikemouser

Speer no tangle/dynaglide/zing it/lash it are are lightweight options, i would never ditch my continuous ridgeline. Its so light it would make no difference. The quickness of setup that it allows me is greater IMO than the miniscule weight savings.

Yep I think that's the way I'm going to go ikemouser, like you say the weight difference is hardly worth mentioning. It's a rig I'm used to throwing up and it's now second nature to me.