Tarp over VS under ridgeline

[dkurfiss]

You have asked the age old question similar to "what oil is best for my car."

Some folks prefer a ridge line under their tarps for various reasons, some want it over their tarps for another set of reasons, then you have those that don't use a CRL but rather do tie outs on each end of their tarp instead. After doing a whole lot of reading about tarps and how to hang them, I have decided there are merits to each of the method and it comes down to personal preference rather than right or wrong.

[nothermark]

Agree with dkurfiss and add that it is somewhat condition dictated. If expecting high winds or a snow load under provides more support so less stress on the tarp.

[Owl]

I've tried all three methods, and have ended up going back to what I started with originally: no tarp ridgeline at all.

Started out initially just adding cordage to the tieouts all the way around the tarp, to include the ones on either end. Ran those through plastic Fig 9s.

Then I bought a ridgeline, tarp flies, and hooks from Dutch.

Tried it with the tarp under the ridgeline first. It worked ok. Then put the tarp on top of the ridgeline...also worked ok.

But I found that it was more work than I liked. And I found that tarp hooks/flies are great in the summer in fair weather...but a PITA to work with in cold or wet weather with hands that have lost feeling over the years.

So...gone back to the Fig 9s and tieouts on either end. Works fine for me.

[SirMarkos]

I've done it both ways. I too think it's situational.

Currently, I use Lash-It whoopies on both ends. Fast, adjustable, no tarp friction, and pulls the ridge as tight as a G-string

[HillbillyHanger]

My $.02 worth:
I'm a self-proclaimed newb:
I started with the Hennessy Hex and I used the continuous ridge under the tarp. My reasoning is that it supported the weight of tarp along the ridgeline and it didn't sag so much. When I ran the ridge line over the top of the tarp, I really had to crank on the prussiks on each end so that the tarp didn't resemble a 'beat down dawg'. About the time I bought a new Tadpole, I watched Derek Hansen's video on water and lines and I switched to lines on each end.
I can understand why I used to put ridgeline under the tarp as it reduced the sag, but I never could convince myself what advantage it offered above the tarp versus using cords on each end. The only reason I could come up with was ease of centering the tarp above the hammock. I use the Dutch wasp on each cord on each end and the centering is fast that way as well.
Just do what ya wanna do

[fishbait]

When I had a Poly Tarp I ran the ridge line under the tarp. Cheap Tarp no worries. When I bought my Warbonnet I went ridge line over the tarp and then later graduated to no ridge line at all.

[ChrisP]

I've done all 3, over, under, and tie outs. I like the structure of a ridgeline and it makes sense to go over the tarp in case of rain.

[Womble]

I have eight tarps

Just...Wow :-)

[walterharold]

I started over, tried it under and eventually settled on separate tie-outs at each end. It seems both quickest and easiest. Even with being fussy trying to get it centered and level, I'm spending the least time with the separate tie-out system. . .And if you are weight conscious, you are carrying 10 less feet of ridgeline.

[Boothill]

tieouts on each end for me, no over or under, sodakgrrl runs hers under and we go caught in a pretty good rain storm last time out and the ridgeline got off to one side of the tarp and water started to pool pretty badly up against the tarp ridgeline and the sewn ridgeline of the tarp, it never leaked but i wouldn't want to go the whole night like that

boot