Try the two vise Grip plier method. I pulled the rope lacing (hated bungee) through each grommet and anchored it with a small vise grip pliers clamped on the rope just on the other side of the grommet(lke a stopper). Then I went through another grommet and clamped it before releasing the other vise grip. This holds the tension on and frees you up for the tugging and fighting required to get the tramp tight enough. We did this at the begining of every season. I have tried lacing while the boat was tipped on its side in the grass (lower hull gets in the way!) and off the trailer in the grass. That worked much better.