Hey all...

Recently bought an ID SilTarp 2 and need to get some line for it. Can anyone recommend some suitable cordage to buy?

I've not used it in anger yet. The only tarp I've used, apart from old army ones years ago, was a Ray Mears Australian Hoochie which already set up so it could be suspended from a ridgeline and then guyed out in each corner... So, and I know that there are whole books on this topic, but if anyone has any simple tips on how you've got this tarp to work best that would be great. Eg setting up a similar arrangement to suspend it from a ridgline, only needing guy lines in the corners etc... I know there are many options and this is an art form, but some initial info on how people have used this tarp would set me off in the right direction...

Thanks

Why do you want to suspend it from a secondary ridgeline ? You might find you get a much tighter pitch if you have a seperate line at each end and use the body of the tarp to form the ridge (self supporting if you like).

I tend to make a set of guys for each tarp from 2mm Dyneema and mini linelocs. Im long for the corners and 2m for mid and end points. That should give you multiple rigging options, inc A frame, half pyramid and lean to.

Thanks Stu,

Not suggesting a secondary ridgeline is the way forward necessarily - though it worked when we used it as we could crank the ridgeline really tight between two trees, could tighten easily if needed, and didnt have any issues with rain running down the line onto the underside of the tarp as the tarp was suspended below the line... Guess I naturally think that you could crank a line much tighter than you might want to tighten the tarp itself... but thats probably not really correct?

So, I'm totally open to any options - that was just one setup I was shown. When you say1m of line on the corners & 2m at the ends, do you mean 1m in total (so shorter once you've doubled back up to the line loc?), or that you've got it set up so that you get a full 1m length from tarp corner to peg? 1m seems kind of short but I guess if its low to the ground then you shouldnt need more...

Thanks.

So, I'm totally open to any options - that was just one setup I was shown. When you say1m of line on the corners & 2m at the ends, do you mean 1m in total (so shorter once you've doubled back up to the line loc?), or that you've got it set up so that you get a full 1m length from tarp corner to peg? 1m seems kind of short but I guess if its low to the ground then you shouldnt need more...

Yeah, I make the corner lines 1m in total, with a lineloc they'll adjust from nearly 1m right down to nothing. A 1m line still allows you to get a very high pitch if needed. I make the other lines 2m to allow for using a pole or other support at those points (centre on all 4 sides).

Cool, thanks. Any recommended place to order some dyneema and linelocs from?? (I'll get myself one of your carbon poles in thanks for the advice!).

Also - wondered about the mytimug cosy kit that you were making - were you going to sell them through the site?

Ah - I can see that backpackinglight.co.uk sell 2mm dyneema and linelocs...

Also - wondered about the mytimug cosy kit that you were making - were you going to sell them through the site?

Yes, they'll be added here: http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/p ... ntact.html

Have a look here for line and locs: http://www.cleats.co.uk/home/default.asp

s8tannorm wrote:

Also - wondered about the mytimug cosy kit that you were making - were you going to sell them through the site?

Yes, they'll be added here: http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/p ... ntact.html

Cool...will look out for them. Ordered the dyneema and linelocs - thanks!

Sorry to be late to the party (especially after you've ordered stuff). You can avoid lineloks by making a prusik loop, larks footing that to the tarp tie out and then tying a prusik knot to a 1m (other lengths are available) single strand of line with a loop at the far end to peg through.

It's the way I bicycle my hammock tarps (well, some of them, I use lineloks on others too). A couple of advantages are that you need less cord (not doubling back) and these can be adjusted from beneath / inside the tarp. I appreciate these may or not be worthwhile to you.

Make them from Zing It and you can splice them so there is only a prusik knot and all the other ends are very neat (it's the secret knitter in me ).

All materials available from ukhammocks.co.uk (inc. lineloks) although alternative stranded UHMWPE (or whatever) cords exist (e.g. Stein line) and can be had cheaper from other suppliers when ordered in larger quantities / spools.

Ah yes - I think the tarps I used before used prusik knots rather than any plastic bits that might break. I'll have a play when the dyneema turns up - can always do it that way. Guess it means less to break as well as marginally less weight....

I'm sure there is a tarp book or dvd available somewhere...?

flatfishy wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YuFaD9i6Sc

Thats the one