maccat and whoopie slings ridge and guy lines

I found a used maccat deluxe on ebay and ordered whoopieslings continuous ridge line and tensioning guy lines.

I set it up in the backyard and I have to say I am very, very impressed. It was a little spendy but the tarp itself is very nice. The splices and knots on the ridge line and guy lines are like art. :) It's certainly educational for me to see how the system should work and gives me something to strive for in my own DIY projects.

I did have two questions though - which side up on the tarp? The seamsealed side out to the weather or as the underside? And, what is the best way to wrap or store dyneema ridge line in a stuff sack or pack to avoid tangles. Keep in mind it has a knot bone, a figure 9, and 2 prusiks on it.

Thanks as always.

For me, up is the side that is on top when I hang it.

I use the two finger figure 8 wrap to store the ridge and guy lines. Just wrap and stuff into a stuff sack.

I've taken to using my daughters hair elastics on guy lines. They're like mini rubber bands. They weigh nothing and no need to double over...

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Originally Posted by !wrass!

...I use the two finger figure 8 wrap to store the ridge and guy lines. Just wrap and stuff into a stuff sack.

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^this and the seam sealed side goes down.

Thanks. Do you leave the guy lines attached to the tarp then wrap and stuff or remove them from the tarp? Faster to leave them on if they don't get tangled I guess.

Both my MacCat tarps have a tag sewn on them near the bottom edge of the seam. I just rig it so that tag is out and facing "up". My 4-season tarp has pull outs so it's easy to tell which side faces out.

The tags may be a more recent addition though. I'd have to look but based on what I just said I believe Brian seam seals the underside of the seam.

I hank my lines "figure 8" style with a little quick release. It keeps them from tangling but does take a few extra seconds to break camp.

They stay attached.

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Originally Posted by mrsmileyns

I did have two questions though - which side up on the tarp? The seamsealed side out to the weather or as the underside?

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I put the seam sealed side on the underside. And as someone mentioned, that puts the OES brand tag showing.

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Originally Posted by mrsmileyns

And, what is the best way to wrap or store dyneema ridge line in a stuff sack or pack to avoid tangles.

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At first, I used little pieces of velcro, which I sewed onto the D-rings. I wrapped the guy lines around my fingers to make a loop, then used the velcro to fasten the loops to the D-rings.

Recently, though, I've begun to lay the guy lines (separately) in the rain fly as I roll it up, then pull the snake skins over it. Simpler and faster and seems to be working well so far.

I no longer use a ridgeline for the rainfly. I switched to two shorter lines, one on each end. Also less tangling and fussiness for me.

It's all a learning curve. Never stops.

Rain Man

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thanks everyone for the input and suggestions

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Originally Posted by mrsmileyns

........I did have two questions though - which side up on the tarp? The seamsealed side out to the weather or as the underside? And, what is the best way to wrap or store dyneema ridge line in a stuff sack or pack to avoid tangles........

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There is already great answers to your questions :)

Yeah seamsealed as underside.

I solved the tangle lines issue by using MountainGoat Mesh Tarp Storage Sleeves (snake skin), easy to deploy at a moment notice and easy to dry, really no downside except added bulk, I can keep all the line attached, plus Katharina is a joy to work with :D