Question about hunting tarps

[Snowwolfe]

Been thinking of a way to cut back on the parachute cord. I found some kevlar fishing line rated at 500 pounds. Would this be a good choice for stringing up a quality tarp while hunting/glassing? The cord is very light and thin but it doesn't have any stretch.
Good or bad idea?

 

[Netherman]

I’m not exactly sure what line you’re talking about but assuming it’s similar to most braided fishing line I’d be worried it’d be impossible to untie and generally a pia to work with.

I’d recommend lawsons glowire with line locks tied on loops so they can be moved around the tarp. I have my lines color coded for length with my DST. I think I ended up with 2 Green at 18’ 4 orange at 12’ and 2 black at 6’.

I used to tie truckers hitches for tension but won’t go back after using the linelocs. Teaching others on the fly was annoying and even if you’re proficient it’s way faster with the linelocs.

 

[Tod osier]

Been thinking of a way to cut back on the parachute cord. I found some kevlar fishing line rated at 500 pounds. Would this be a good choice for stringing up a quality tarp while hunting/glassing? The cord is very light and thin but it doesn't have any stretch.
Good or bad idea?

I've tried several things, I agree the small diameter of the 500 pound test may be a problem. For a no stretch line, I bought a big spool of 7/64 AmSteel 12 strand Dyneema, it is smaller diameter than paracord (packs smaller and lighter), but still thick enough to work with and soft and thick enough not to cut your hands or tarp. I use it as a long ridgeline where I don't want it to sag. I wouldn't want to go much smaller for a tarp than 7/64 just for workability. If you are not looking for no stretch, one of the smaller diameter lines like suggested above, would be my suggestion.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Good point about the line being to thin to untie.
Thanks

 

[Bert01]

I’ll second the 7/64 amsteel. I’ve used it for a lot of backpacking duties including whoopie slings and tarp ties.

 

[alexnelon]

I tried something similar with really thin line and made a couple of temporary hitch knots that turned permanent when it started raining... The combination of thin wet line and the added weight from a wet tarp made the knots too tight to untie without scissors.

 

[Live_weighT34]

I switched to Lawson 2mm glowire and it’s been life changing, I use it on my Kifaru paratarp and in my kill kit. Wish I would’ve made the switch sooner

 

[Chad_H]

Why not just use 275cord instead of 550 cord? Half the diameter and weight, half the strength but still everything you'd need for that task. I've tried micro cords, and they're usually more finicky to tie and have hold with some types of knots used for tarps. I've largely switched to 275 Cord for tarps.

Atwood is a very decent source, not Chinese rope.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Since someone posted about line locks....................what are some of the better ones to consider for tent and tarps?

 

[Bert01]

I used figure 9’s and they work pretty good, these days I just have a few smaller whoopie slings or whatever type of knot/friction hitch you want to call it that I use for tie offs and ridge lines.

 

[mtnbound]

I use Z-Paks 1.3mm cord with their line locks for my tarp.

 

[Netherman]

I use lineloc3s with 2mm glowire but found they occasionally slip so usually tie a quick release knot under them for “long term” pitches. I see they’re adding 2.5mm so might go that route at some point.


Lineloc3s https://dutchwaregear.com/product/l...by-uARHzFJ_w9aMgOYbpT7dnpeBDmhAg0F__FPtKvopkU

 

[EdP]

#30 bank line is 2mm with 295 lb test strength. Cost is about $15 for a 1 lb roll (579 ft length). Tarred bank line is not sticky but knots won't slip and it doesn't stretch. This is great stuff for a variety of uses at a great price. However, if I was going to put dedicated lines on my tarp the Lawson glowwire with linelocs would be worth the extra cost.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

One thing to consider if you plan to use your tarp during wet/freezing conditions is paracords or any cotton type line will freeze after tied if they get wet. Once frozen the knots are a pain to get undone and Linelocs don’t work very well with stiff cordage. I went with a Dyneema cord several years ago and have been super happy with it year round. It is strong, reflective, does not get tangles and is easy to tie/untie. Holds knots very well also. I use this on all my backpacking tarps/tents.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Considering using these line locks:

Amazon.com: SATINIOR 20 Pieces Guyline Tensioner Aluminum Alloy Tent Cord Paracord Tensioner Guy Line Rope Adjusters Cord Tighteners for Outdoor Tent Camping Hiking Accessories (Red) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: SATINIOR 20 Pieces Guyline Tensioner Aluminum Alloy Tent Cord Paracord Tensioner Guy Line Rope Adjusters Cord Tighteners for Outdoor Tent Camping Hiking Accessories (Red) : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

They can be added to the cord at home and then just wrap the cord around any branch or stake I want to attach to. No more tying or untying of knots in the field.
Thoughts?

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Considering using these line locks:

Amazon.com: SATINIOR 20 Pieces Guyline Tensioner Aluminum Alloy Tent Cord Paracord Tensioner Guy Line Rope Adjusters Cord Tighteners for Outdoor Tent Camping Hiking Accessories (Red) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: SATINIOR 20 Pieces Guyline Tensioner Aluminum Alloy Tent Cord Paracord Tensioner Guy Line Rope Adjusters Cord Tighteners for Outdoor Tent Camping Hiking Accessories (Red) : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

They can be added to the cord at home and then just wrap the cord around any branch or stake I want to attach to. No more tying or untying of knots in the field.
Thoughts?

Those look pretty slick. I use a different version on my tents and on the four corners of my tarp, then tie the rest only because I find the ones I use to be more of a pain. The ones you found would likely work very well. You also asked above about tying a tarp without some sort of give in the line. I use Sil/Poly tarps and used to have a 12” bungee cord section to help alleviate tension in windy conditions. It created more issues than it was worth and went away from using them. I have tied my tarps tight with the Dyneema cord and never had an issue with a quality tarp. I tear holes in the tarps before the tie points have failed.

 

[Netherman]

Here’s a picture of how mine is setup. I like this better than a bar style tensioner as I can get it tighter, tie in if needed, and the adjustment occurs at the tarp side. This lets me loop the stake or girth hitch a tree, branch, or anything else and I don’t have to worry about getting the line to “slide” around the anchor when tensioning.

I also move the lineloc around the tie off points depending what pitch I’m using. I leave it preset in my pack based on what I expect but this lets me swap as needed.