Tarp set-up question

[Roe Ring]

I have a superfly set-up with a continuos ridge line. The tarp is attached by two small s-biners to prussics on the RL. One of the s-biner to prussic connections has a short loop of shock cord in the middle, acting like a self tensioning guy line.

I can't remember where I read that the loop of shock cord should be used, but it has been on my tarp since I set it all up. I'm noticing though that to get enough tension in the silnylon, I'm stretching this loop to its limit. Do I really need it? I think I will get a tighter pitch without it, but don't want to take it off if its serving another purpose.

Thanks

Mark

[mattyg]

i dont have one and get a good pitch on my tarp

[lubbockhammockguy]

I dont have it on my RL and mine stays tight, but I do have them on my side pullouts.

I would say do what ever works for you, but I wouldn't want my RL flapping around in high winds.

[Bubba]

I like a taut pitch so I don't use shock cord on the RL or the tie outs. I do use shock cord on the side pull outs though just so there is a little give in strong wind. I don't mind tightening my lines a couple times after set up. IMO, shock cord is not necessary on the RL.

[Catavarie]

I don't use shockcord on the ridgeline. Have tarp attached directly to prussics that run on the CRL.

I use about 12 inches of shock cord on my tie outs as tarp tensioners though. If my ridgeline looks slack before I go to sleep I simple snug it up by hand.

[Kyle]

I had my Superfly rigged on a continuous line with prussiks (no shock cord) and shock cord self tensioning lines... until I met Brandon at the Colorado Fall Hang and he suggested just using plain ol' line (zing-it in my case) for the guylines and the basic 2-line ridgeline. He showed me his Cloudburst pitched this way, and I realized I was not pitching the Superfly nearly tight enough. I guess silny is stronger than it looks, because he recommended REALLY cranking that thing tight. He said if you get it really tight the first time, it can stretch overnight and still be tight by morning. Sho' 'nough, by morning it was still tighter than I was pitching mine to begin with using self tensioners. Believe it or not, the guy appears to know what he's talking about. XD

Needless to say, I re-rigged my tarp soon as I got home.

To answer your question: no, you don't need shock cord. Anywhere, except maybe on the doors.

[Roe Ring]

Thanks for the replies. I'd been thinking about the 2piece tarp RL set up; I hadn't seen a shock cord used in that situation.

I'm going to remove the RL shock cord and will take the guy line tensioners off one side to see if it makes a difference. It'll be a good test to see how the untensioned side pitches against the tensioned side; and it'll be interesting to see how they both stand up overnight.

Thanks again

Mark