Talking Tarps & Grommets

[svmariane]

Originally Posted by rw58ph

This week end we had winds up to 60 MPH, all the tarp grabbers held. The tarp and PBC frame, shaked, rattled and rolled.

Impressive. Not JUST that the grabbers held, but that you cared enough to still reply - most folk would have been more concerned about their anchor system or their mooring lines than talking about tarps!

Well, part of my situation is needing flexibility of use with whatever tarps we make, so I'm thinking to incorporate several of the ideas suggested above.

Make the tarps as usual (from sunbrella or sailcloth) but:

use stainless steel D-ring or O-rings w/straps for the corners;
use large stainless steel grommets 1 metre (or so) apart along the edges;
use tarp grabbers as needed for a better fit hither and yon.

Overkill, suspenders and belt.... But I'm plain exasperated with messing around with ill-conceived tarps!

Thanks all for your input and advice!

James

[vtsailguy]

I use this method on lighter tarps, it might not work with thicker sunbrella.

Take a golf ball, press it against tarp, bunch the opposite side around it and then tie off with a clove hitch or similar.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by vtsailguy

I use this method on lighter tarps, it might not work with thicker sunbrella.

Take a golf ball, press it against tarp, bunch the opposite side around it and then tie off with a clove hitch or similar.

I've used this plan, but I would recommend something like saved champagne corks instead of the golf balls. The golf balls are just too harsh on the children's heads when a corner of the tarp is free! ......however; then, someone needs to empty the champagne bottles and that could be harsh on the adult's heads. This is another call for proper planning!