Apparently I'm the dumb a$*! After a quick glance the other day it looked like it was incorporated into the hull locators and I assumed it was factory. It's not very tight but you definitely feel it if you stand on the trampoline over it (that's how I found it). It has a turnbuckle just like the diamond wires. I'll take another look at it tonight and maybe post some pics. Whatever it is, somebody took some time to construct it. The mystery continues.... Perhaps it's the only thread holding the boat together! (like I said, I just bought it)