When a tarp or boat cover is exposed to wind, the attachment points take much of the load. A completely rigid attachment transfers movement directly to the tarp and its eyelets, while an elastic bungee cord can absorb some of that movement and help keep the cover tensioned.
But there is another problem: how do you keep a bungee cord securely attached?
Standard open hooks can become detached when the tension changes. Knots work, but they can be inconvenient when a tarp needs to be installed and removed regularly.
A bungee cord with locking attachment points provides another solution.
Why use a locking bungee cord for a tarp?
The Hippo Marine 6620 combines an elastic bungee cord with two different attachment systems.
At one end is a locking J-hook. It hooks around a suitable attachment point and locks in place, helping prevent the hook from accidentally coming loose as the tarp moves.
At the other end is a T-shaped toggle. Push the toggle through a tarp eyelet and turn it across the opening. The toggle then rests behind the tarp, preventing the cord from pulling back through the eyelet.
This creates a quick attachment without having to tie a knot.
How do you attach a bungee cord when there is no tarp eyelet?
Sometimes the best place for an attachment point is exactly where there is no eyelet.
The pointed end of the Hippo Marine T-toggle can be used to make a small hole through suitable tarp material. The toggle is then pushed through the hole and turned across the back of the tarp.
This provides a simple way to create an additional attachment point without installing a traditional metal eyelet.
The condition of the tarp is important. Old, brittle or badly UV-damaged material may tear around a new hole and should be reinforced or repaired before additional load is applied.
Why use elastic instead of a rigid attachment?
Tarps move when exposed to wind. If every attachment point is completely rigid, sudden movements can create high loads around eyelets, seams and other attachment points.
An elastic bungee cord stretches as the cover moves and then returns toward its original length. This helps maintain tension while absorbing some of the movement.
For boat covers and winter tarps in particular, this can help reduce sudden stress on the tarp and its attachment points.
Locking hook vs regular bungee hook
A conventional open bungee hook is quick to attach, but it relies on continuous tension to help keep the hook in position. If the tarp becomes slack or changes direction in the wind, an open hook can potentially become detached.
A locking J-hook adds a mechanical lock to the attachment.
This can be particularly useful for covers that remain outdoors for long periods and are repeatedly exposed to changing wind conditions.
Where can locking bungee cords be used?
Hippo Marine 6620 is suitable for securing boat covers, winter tarps, construction covers, trailers, camping equipment and other outdoor covers.
The combination of an elastic cord, locking J-hook and T-toggle makes it especially useful when you want a fastening system that is quick to install, easy to remove and does not require knots.
A simple way to improve tarp attachment
A good tarp fastening system needs to do more than simply hold the cover in place. It should allow some movement, maintain tension and provide reliable attachment points.
Using elastic bungee cords with locking attachments can help achieve all three – while making it faster to install and remove the tarp.
