tarp tieout/guyline pouches/pockets

[spidennis]

During the texas group hang (which was great btw) I noticed on a tarp (can't remember which) that it has a small pocket sewn in underneath at the tieout points where you could stuff in your guy lines when it's time to pack up. what a great idea! no need to look for them, no way to lose them, and they are already tied to the tarp. so I want to add them to both of my tarps, the speer swt and warbonnet superfly. I was wondering if anyone had these features in their tarps and just how are they done? I gather this is going to be my first diy right after I get my first sewing machine (of some sort) ...... could anyone supply some pics of guyline pockets that work out well for them? thanks!

this is more about tarps than diy so I wanted it in this section, or could it be cross posted?

[Alan]

I think we had that conversation while looking at my Hennessy Hex tarp. Those little pockets do come in handy!

[spidennis]

It's a must have feature for all tarp manufacturers!

ok, I got some ideas brewing .....
"an inner catch section" for lack of a better term.
I gather a pic would help out here huh?

[Alan]

I gather a pic would help out here huh?

See page 16 of this PDF
http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Mag...y-hammocks.pdf

[Coldspring]

I had some put on my MacCat. Quickly removed them. To me, they were just a nuisance. Extra weight and extra bulk. Trying to stuff the guylines in them was more trouble than just untangling the lines.

[BEAS]

that is correct they are on the hennessey hex tarp. I love mine didnt find them for 2 hangs

[spidennis]

See page 16 of this PDF
http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Mag...y-hammocks.pdf

yup, that's exactly what I'm looking to add, maybe with a bit of velcro to hold it closed. perfect!

I'll figure 8 the guy lines at each tie down point, stuff the cord into the pocket and lock it in with the velcro. I'll do this with the ridgeline as well.

[DavidWa]

.... maybe with a bit of velcro to hold it ....

What I do is attach my guy out lines to the tarp loops with a taut line hitch. Coil up the line , figure 8 fashion on two fingers, then tuck this coiled line inside the loop formed by the attachment to the tarp, then just snug up the taut line loop. This does 3 things ; it leaves my tension adjustment point at the tarp edge instead of down near the ground or out at the far end, keeps the tie out lines orderly for the next pitch, doesn't add any weight.

However, it doesn't always work as slick as I would like it to as the loop sometimes works a bit loose and it all comes undone, especially on a windy day pitch. It seems to work best when I make the coil longer rather than shorter.

All of my tarps have tie out loops, not gromets, some of the loops are fairly small and it works fairly well to coil the tie out line such that it is a snug fit to stuff the coils inside the tie out loops. But on some of my tarps the tie out loops are to large to hold the coiled line secure and this method does not work.

What I have been thinking might work better is to get some of those little velcro cable ties at the electronics store. Sew a short length of it to the tarp near the tie out loops and figure-8 coil my guy out lines as before and tuck them inside the velcro loop.

I was thinking it wouldn't add much weight, and the hooks in the velcro might hold the coiled tie out lines inside the loop more securely than the previous method of just using a loop made of the same line material. From the pack the velcro cable ties are about 8 inches long but only about 3 inches would be needed.

I haven't yet decided if I like this idea enough to actually try it. Sometimes velcro is the wonder product and other times a demons torture.

D

[G...Hawk]

we are using small mesh ( nylon? ) bags, about 5"x4" with drawstring that are available in craft shops ( the kind used as party / wedding favors ).
They come in many small sizes.

Have not used long enough to see how they last outside.
Would not sew them on until that is tested, but loosely tie on for storage.

[lazyboy]

My old Moss heptawing tarp has this feature. Just a small triangle sewn to the corners forming a pouch with a small tab of velcro to keep it closed.