lightest cord

**hikelite** · 01-15-2011, 21:36

I'm looking for the lightest cord available that will hold the forces of a tarp in the wind. I'm leaning towards LashIt, but at 1.7mm, I'm thinking there must be something smaller, and therefore, lighter.

I found some links to chinese manufacturers offing Dyneema type UHMWPE line in sizes down to 0.1mm, but I can't find anyone selling retail. I'm willing to buy an entire spool of whatever I find, I'm just having a real hard time finding something.

I want it as light as possible. It only needs to be strong enough for a tarp ridge and/or tie out, but I don't know what strength rating I should be looking for. I couldn't figure out what strength I need either. I started doing a free body diagram, but I think I started making the math too complex. The number I did come up with was way too high (as in higher than what lashit could do), so I am doing it wrong. :P

I will be using this cord in a way that it will be coming from the tarp and attached to the same cord as the tie out, ie the tarp's tie out is made of this cord. I'll probably just larks head 2 loops together. If the recommended cord does not handle knots well, I don't mind splicing.

If it was reflective too, that would be awesome, but I'm not counting on that.

Anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks in advance.

**angrysparrow** · 01-15-2011, 21:48

If you really want to save the grams, get some ~100lb dyneema fishing line. That should be fine for tarp tie-out use.

**ExPXGUY** · 01-15-2011, 21:57

May want to look at this,

http://www.basspro.com/Planer-Board-.../16013/-574086

Not sure of the diameter, but it splices (I've made Nacrabiners our of them), has kind of a waxy coating.

May also want to look at some of the dynema braided fishing lines though you might get decapitated if you run into them. Sample...

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...SELL_THUMBNAIL

I could send you a small chunk of the planer line for evaluation if you PM me.

**hikelite** · 01-15-2011, 22:02

I was finding dyneema fishing lines, but I was worried about using a monofilament. If it were to break, there's only one piece to break! I guess if it's braided it would be OK.

I like that spider wire! Looks neat!

I'm not worried about the decapitation thing, although that's why I asked about it being reflective. I can always tie something reflective to the actual tie out lines. I'm really looking for something super light to use as the tie-outs on the tarp side, but if it's good enough for that, I figure it's good enough for tie out lines too!

The planer stuff looks interesting too, but I really didn't want orange. My ideal would be black with a reflective thread woven in. Stealth, but I can see it at night. I know I'm being picky, but at least I know what I want. I just can't find it!

I'll research braided dyneema fishing line some more. I was seeing a lot of that, but I had ruled it out because it didn't sound right to use fishing line LOL.

Thanks guys.

If anyone has more suggestions, please share them.

**hikelite** · 01-15-2011, 22:10

Making this a separate post so it stands out...

What test should I look at? Maybe that's my biggest question. Just how strong does a tarp tie out and/or ridgeline need to be?

**hikelite** · 01-15-2011, 22:19

I think I want Amsteel smaller than 7/64 :P

I want light, but I also want it to be durable!
These braided fishing lines scare me when they talk about being able to tell when it needs to be replaced. If I use it as part of the tarp tie out, I need it to last!

**rjcress** · 01-15-2011, 23:14

I've heard some folks say that you want your tarp tie-out lines to be weaker than the tarp itself. So, the tie outs will fail before the tarp rips.
Makes sense to me. Tie out line is easier and cheaper to replace than a tarp.

**turnerminator** · 01-16-2011, 04:58

Braided fishing line loves to tangle- very light but a nightmare. Polyester sheathed dyneema is far better. I bought some of this last year and it works great. It feels almost like its got wire inside and won't self knot easily. Its a stayer.

http://www.cygnus-sails.com/item-Eng...king_Load.html