Guy-lines for Tarp

Kelty Triptease isn't the lightest cord available, but it's super reflective–you'd have to be blind to miss it in the dark with any kind of light.

Oware sells lightweight cordage: http://www.owareusa.com/ They have 1-mm dacron cord on their online ordering page, 50 ft for $4. It's white, so I think it would be fairly easy to see in dim light.

Anyone know of a cheaper source that's equally high in quality? I just lost a whole bunch of the oware stuff on Shasta because my snow anchors froze under thick ice, and I had to cut them loose.

I use this stuff.
http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/rope.htm

I tend to stick with less visible line, but that is because I often have to stealth camp.
A lot of great backpacking in my area, but areas don't allow camping.
I've never had any issues, just don't want to push it by using glow in the dark lines.

My favorite is the better quality braided masons line that you can get at construction supply stores. Lighter than most tent lines and surprisingly durable.
The cheaper twisted variety is not recommended.

I've been using this stuff that I got at Home Depot for less then $10.00. Bright and light. So far, so good, but I haven't seen any big weather, either.

+1 on #18 braided mason's line . Doesn't unravel. Works with micro clam cleats. Bright yellow , pink . Cheap.

Good point, John – You have to make sure you get braided, not twisted.

When I went through all the numbers months ago it tested at 150 lbs. for failure although you sure wouldn't want to hang that amount from it. I burn it with a Bic to keep a nice line end and if you are stuck with twisted that helps in a pinch. There were many postings about it not working with micro clam cleats but it definitely does. I bought my micros on E-bay and the seller confirmed the specs despite the fact that he sold other cord himself. While I know many people prefer knots this line is pretty thin and your ability to untie a knot that has been compressed or frozen may make that less desirable even though the clam cleat adds weight. For me, I love the instant adjustment in rain or dark.

Do the standard micro tensioners (as sold here) work on mason line? I don't see why they wouldn't…

I've been using it on my tarp with clove hitches on the stakes…tensioners would be nice.

As for strength, I'm not sure I'd trust it in a big storm…but then I wouldn't be carrying an UL tarp with mason line in "serious storm" territory anyway.

Here's the url of the seller I bought from . I can confirm that I can't pull the line out but I imagine that with a torque wrench or a jack I'd discover some real limit and a snapping wind load would do it at some point . But here's a place to start a cleat evaluation.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250609531631&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I currently use 100lb. Dacron kite cord. Not good for constantly retying knots but they have held the permanent bowlines I put in all the ends of each piece nicely.

Anyone have any experience with 65lb. fishing line?

While it may be more expensive than the mason line, has anyone considered using bowfishing line? I believe BCY Fibers makes it (same company that makes the spectra lines for bow strings)

It's a braided Spectra, rated to either 100lbs, 350lbs, or 700lbs depending on which line you buy. 35yrds usually runs about 20.00, and is very thin.

Craig-

How strong are your tarp anchors? Do you use 50 lb rocks
to tie off to? Stakes in the ground, trees? Braided
masons twine should be up to most tasks unless it runs
over a sharp edge. If needed it can be doubled or tripled up.

I like to carry lots of thin cord. 100 ft weighs less
than an ounce and can also be used for bear hang
retrieval cord, shoe laces, etc.

Stuff like para cord is overkill in my opinion. Tho
I once used a come a long with multiple strands of 550
cord to pull a pickup out of a ditch.

I use the Speer NoTangle GuideLines.

http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/Supplies.htm

This is off his site:

"Simply the very best guideline cord available!
1/16" spectra core with nylon sheath, 275 lb breaking strength, highly visible bright orange, no tangles! Extremely strong lightweight cord for many outdoor uses; 100' weighs 1.8 oz; sold in 100 ft length only $26.00/100ft"

i too use the speer guylines…

That's a really good point Dave!

Why stress over the tensile strength of your guyline (~150# in the case of mason line) when your anchor wouldn't hold a fraction of that!?

Ahhh, so simple…never thought of it that way…Thanks!

> How strong are your tarp anchors? Do you use 50 lb rocks
to tie off to?

For that matter, how strong are the attachment points on the side of your tarp? Strong enough to hang a 150 lb man off them?
A bit absurd in some ways …

Cheers

I avoid Home Depot and the likes because I can. There are plenty of good family owned construction supplies near me.

I eventually got rid of most of my tensioning devices as I find that mason line seems to have just the right amount of grip to hold a taut-line hitch quite well, but slippery enough to untie easily.

It can tangle easier than the slick stuff, but isn't an issue if you have good rope handling and coiling skills.

It's light enough that you can bring a hundred of feet of spare.

I use the Kelty Triptease. Not light but very nice cord. Still about 1oz for 50ft isn't too bad and the stuff will light up the forrest when you hit it with a flashlight. Very good if you are with a big group. Very very good if some in said group are completely clumsy. I lost a tent to a ding-dong friend who managed to step right in the middle of it. How he managed to not see it may have had something to do with vodka. Now on group trips I use reflective cord.

I have braided mason line, never considered using it for guyline. I used it to replace heavy cords on stuffsacks or when I need a lanyard. I may give it a go for guyline.

Does the mason's twine absorb lots of water?

> Does the mason's twine absorb lots of water?
Nope.

You can always spray with DWR too.

Cheers

+ another on the braided mason twine. Super strong and super light. $4 to $5 for 250 feet, available at any hardware store.

Watch out for twisted Mason's line at the local hardware store. In my case a local store only stocked twisted , but since it is part of the 'Do-It-Best"group I was able to have it delivered with no shipping fee, and I picked it up in about a week. I to try to avoid Home Despot. Things seem to start out well there with former contractor's sharing their insight on great products known to the trades.But I have observed that these quickly devolve into best sellers which are usually cheap and pretty much junk.I have no vested interest in any of the above , but I sure do like walking 5 blocks to my local hardware store.

Anybody know if mason's line can be dyed? It would be nice to have line that's not fluorescent pink, green, or purple.