Awning guys: cord or some elastic

[pcatterall]

Our new set of sun awnings are working well. We just need to refine some side blinds.
My question concerns whether we are better off using just cord to hold the awnings down or whether to have an element of bungee cord in the line. My present arrangement is a sort of trial but I want to make up a proper set of cords. I think I like a short section of elastic in the cord but will value your experiences before we make them up.

 

[vyv_cox]

I think it may depend upon the type of awning you propose. Most people with a tent over the boom seem to use bungee. This gives some flexibility in gusts. Ours uses fibreglass poles over the boom, which keeps the awning pretty much horizontal. I use cord to hold the poles down to the guard wires and up with a bridle to a halyard. The poles themselves give a little in gusts.

Our side blinds use very short lengths of bungee, none are more than 6 inches long.

 

[nigelmercier]

I'd say bungee, but it is quite hard to finish the ends.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks guys.
Like VYV my 'system' uses flexible poles over the boom which themselves have a little give. I will continue the experimentation before I spend time making up a lot of guys.

 

[rob2]

Rope will obviously outlast bungee, which loses its elasticity with use and exposure. Assuming you have grommets around the awning, you could use tent guy rubbers through the eyelet and rope to the guardwire. The rubbers are solid and have a mushroom head one end and an eye the other to attach the guy line. I have them to attach the lower edge of the dodgers to their hooks on the gunwhale.

Rob.