How to tie guylines.

**Miguel** · 03-17-2010, 15:22

What is the best (read-fast and easy) method of securing individual guylines (six in my case) in order to avoid the dreaded rats nest

after stowing my tarp.

I read somewhere about "hanking" the line but don't get any results from google. How do I avoid the Rats Nest???

Miguel

**Wags** · 03-17-2010, 15:26

i learned how here miguel. i keep my lines permanently attached to my tarp.

step 1 - starting closest to tarp, wrap around hand until about 2 feet of guyline remain
step 2 - take off hand wrap the remaining cord around perpendicular to the original oval (creating a "Plus sign" shape, for lack of better description)
step 3 - tuck in the last inch or 2

done. i've not had a single tangle since i started doing it like that

some guys will recommend a fancy figure 8 wrapping but i found it unnecessary and wasted time

**sk8rs_dad** · 03-17-2010, 15:26

Fold your guy-lines in half, then in half again, then in half again until you get to a reasonable length. Tie an overhand knot with the bundle you just made.

**warbonnetguy** · 03-17-2010, 15:31

(imo) fig 8 is best, it won't tangle when you pull it apart. i coil it in a fig 8 between my pinky finger and my pointer finger. i think it;s a pretty common way to do it and works really well

**JosephCurwen** · 03-17-2010, 15:41

fig 8 too, works great

**Kerflop** · 03-17-2010, 15:52

Anyone has any videos on the figure 8? I see that there is a figure 8 knot, but I do not think that is what you mean.

**ringtail-THFKAfood** · 03-17-2010, 16:23

http://www.animatedknots.com/coiling...matedknots.com

**Kerflop** · 03-17-2010, 16:24

Thanks Food... that was very helpful...

**Miguel** · 03-17-2010, 16:44

Originally Posted by swoosh

i learned how here miguel. i keep my lines permanently attached to my tarp.

step 1 - starting closest to tarp, wrap around hand until about 2 feet of guyline remain
step 2 - take off hand wrap the remaining cord around perpendicular to the original oval (creating a "Plus sign" shape, for lack of better description)
step 3 - tuck in the last inch or 2

done. i've not had a single tangle since i started doing it like that

some guys will recommend a fancy figure 8 wrapping but i found it unnecessary and wasted time

Thanks...this one satisfies the quick and easy criteria. The animated knot method is probably a tad more secure but a bit more time consuming. Always good to have a backup.

Thanks for the quick responses.

Miguel

**Doctari** · 03-17-2010, 17:21

All of mine are pre-tied to my tarp (12 of them) using Ed Spear's no tangle line, I take no precautions & have had no problems. Each stake out line is 5.5' long, & the ridgelines are 4.5'