tarp ridge line and guys ?

[Paullyfuzz]

I only know of para cord, and dont really like it. What are the alternatives, and what size diameter do people use for both the ridge line and guys ?

Th smallest i can find for guys is 3mm, but am after something smaller.

Whats out there ?

Paul

 

[John Fenna]

I think that you should go for DIY nettle twine.......

 

[scanker]

I've used 3mm climbing cord for guys and 7mm for my ridgeline on my basha. I think you can get 2mm climbing cord. I've also bought some comms cord from an army surplus place which I guess is 1.5-2mm - seems fairly strong. The 7mm ridge seems a bit excessive tbh.

There's a picture of the comms cord (or something that looks very similar to it - Spam calls it small purlon, and comms cord something different) in the paracord critique thread. Second one up in the picture.

 

[Toddy]

You're a cruel man John
Lime bark at least

Seriously tape is better than cord, and for guys the glow in the dark stuff, while not natural, helps to stop the accidental garroting on the return from the middle of the night piddle

I'm certain there'll be good advice along shortly on the lines, too many folks love their hammocks for them not to want others to make it work.

cheers,


oops cross post with Scanker, not intended as a disagreement, just the tree tie ons

 

[John Fenna]

You're a cruel man John
Lime bark at least

Yup!

I just use cheap and easy to get utility cord (Highlander) - I did have some glow in the dark beads (thanks Wayland) but someone removed them as a joke and 1/. yes I walked into my own guys 2/. I never got them back!

I find anything less than 5mm a pain to untie with gloved hands

 

[kai055]

i just use atm washing line from the pound shop, 20 metres for a pound and can be cut down to 2 10m ridge lines. for the hammock tho i have 10mm paracord and for the corners of the tarp 3mm

 

[R Doull]

I use 3mm Prusik cord from my local climbing center for my ridge line.. and for my guys I have a choice.. either 1.5mm nylon string.. (purchased from a large DIY shop ) or bunge cords.. my first choice is the bunges as they are fast and always keep the tension on the tarp.. but if the ancor points are too far away then the cord comes in to play.. as for removing the line with gloves.. tie a quick release and just pull it out.. and practice tieing you knotts with gloves on.. ( i get my scouts to do that) that way you know that even with no feeling and poor control of your hands you can still get the knots tied to keep you dry..

 

[mick miller]

For guys I use a white cord, it might be washing line cord I'm not sure. It was from a hardware store and dirt cheap.

Being white it means that I can see it on all but the darkest of nights unaided, and if not it catches the beam of the headtorch nicely.

For ridge line I use 6 or 7mm climbing cord, better IMO than paracord and as it's over head height colour is irrelevant, mines blue to match the sky when I'm looking up (that last bit is a little fib, it's blue 'cause that's all they had on offer at the time!).

 

[Joonsy]

if you want to browse over a good variety of cords a boat/sailing shop will offer a good choice but may be expensive, personally cheapo stuff from any DIY store does me, regarding thickness 2mm is ok for guys but any less is likely to be a bit fiddly with cold hands, ridge could be same but i prefer about 5mm for ease of use, any nylon cord over 2mm will be strong enough it's just your own preference as regarding cords handling abilities, also very thin stuff may be difficult to see especially in low light. Sailing shops will also offer different materials if you don't want nylon.

 

[saddle_tramp]

I use para cord for the guys and ridge cos i got little tensioners (the little plastic things you get on tent guys, but metal) and they seem to work well with the paracord diameter

 

[Wayland]

You could use some Mors Kochanski cord, that's 2mm and white or if you can get to a Decathalon store, they sell "Cordelette" which is 2mm static cord.

They sell small bundles in the camping section but if you look around the sailing / windsurfing area they sell the same stuff on 40m reels for a fiver.

I prefer it to paracord and it comes in a mixture of colours including a low viz one if you prefer.

If you want to go really light, I use nylon cord for a chalk line which is strong and florescent yellow so easy to spot.

As has been said, visibility is an issue.

It's not just for other people, just think what could happen if you trip over your own guys when you're miles from anywhere.

 

[durulz]

You could use some Mors Kochanski cord, that's 2mm and white

*I'm ducking now and waiting for the fireworks*

 

[ex Member swampy99]

I only know of para cord, and dont really like it.
Paul

Stone him STONE HIM.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Guy lines = Marlow Excel Pro, 2mm, 96kg breaking strain, if you are lucky, you can get it in a very bright yellow that shows up really well. (comes in 30m roll, cut into 8 lenghts = 2 tarps' worth)

Ridgelines = can use climbing accessory cord, but I like Marlow 8 Plait standard or pre-stretched polyester.

All can be found in sailing shops, I bought from www.sailboats.co.uk, they do mail order.

 

[Gailainne]

If you want thin but strong, try this marlow racing 1.5mm 172 kg breaking load good enough ?

PS you can see why I dont really bother with paracord anymore, not in my hammock, tent set ups anyway

Stephen

 

[Shewie]

I only know of para cord, and dont really like it.

What`s not to like about it Paul ?

I have a 7mm para cord ridge line and 3mm camo accessory cord for the guys and prusiks.


Rich