Nite Ize Figure 9's and Rain?

I know the Nite Ize Figure 9's (small plastic model) are successfully used in many situations but last night I experienced all 4 tarp guy-lines disconnecting?

I thought a heavy rain forecast would be a great test of some self tensioning guy lines* with a WildernessLogics BigDaddy...but when I woke up this morning, looked in my backyard, the tarp was flapping all over the place!

It's been raining almost 24 hours and and the lines held throughout the day but I assume in the night hours the wind kicked up and the wet Kelty lines slipped off?? The Figure 9's were still looped to the cord and it could be user error but the 9's are pretty simple to connect.

I normally use prussick or a truckers hitch knot for stake connection so I think I'll continue with that setup. Note one msr needle stake had come out of the ground.


* side note: headchange4u / youngblood DIY self tension guy line method ...clove hitch knot still holding :):)!!

I put an extra round turn on my nines, which seems to help.

I found my no tangle guylines slipped on my mini line locs when they got wet. They held fine when dry but after some rain they would not hold well. They probably would do better with a bit ticker and more supple cordage. Maybe the Triptease is the same?

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Originally Posted by enoorange

I know the Nite Ize Figure 9's (small plastic model) are successfully used in many situations but last night I experienced all 4 tarp guy-lines disconnecting?

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Originally Posted by Bubba

I found my no tangle guylines slipped on my mini line locs when they got wet.

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I switched to a combination of those, but have not been out in the rain yet, so I thank you both for the information. I'll have to run a test myself now, before heading out into a storm. Forewarned is forearmed.

Rain Man

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Originally Posted by oldgringo

I put an extra round turn on my nines, which seems to help.

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OG hit the nail on the head. I use 1.75 zing it and put an extra wrap in backed up with a slippery half hitch. Have been through rain and 60 mph winds with no slippage.

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Originally Posted by oldgringo

I put an extra round turn on my nines, which seems to help.

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Yes, kinda common sense which explains why I didn't do it...will keep this in mind for future setups.

I always do a slippery half hitch as well. When I was using ring buckles for my hammock I was cold/wet and in a hurry so I forgot. Then I ended up on my rear.

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Originally Posted by Rain Man

I switched to a combination of those, but have not been out in the rain yet, so I thank you both for the information. I'll have to run a test myself now, before heading out into a storm. Forewarned is forearmed.

Rain Man

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Hey Rain Man. Just to add, my line locs slipped to a certain tension and then held. I like a really taut pitch so I tend to have a fair amount of tension on my guylines. I could have tied a half hitch to secure them but then I felt it defeated the purpose. Nowadays I have a small continuous loop on the tarp D rings and then I prusik it to the line. I then attach the end of the line that has a loop in it to the steak. I found this holds great and fairly easy to adjust.

I haven't had that problem... (yet).

I use only the metal figure 9's. I don't know if that is a factor or not. I also always put a slippery half hitch behind the figure 9.

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Originally Posted by canoebie

OG hit the nail on the head. I use 1.75 zing it and put an extra wrap in backed up with a slippery half hitch. Have been through rain and 60 mph winds with no slippage.

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+1

I do the same with my tarp. It would occasionally just let go with 1 wrap in a breeze, since adding and extra turn and the slippery half hitch the fig 9 hasn't let go on me once. Granted I've yet to hang in 60mph winds with it either.