hammock fun.

[Wayne]

i spent the weekend testing my hammock. Great worked well it was cheap off ebay. only problem is i have an orginal 3/4 length thermarest absolutely no friction. The whole night was spent sliding down the hammoack and trying to crawl back on it.

Am i pitching the hammock wrong. i had the head end slightly higher than the bottom. Also at one point the thermarest almost fell out of the gap of the hennesey. i was attempting to sleep across it.

 

[TheViking]

Hi...

Yeah, it's fun to sleep outside in a hammock. :-D I bought mine new and green for 7£! Very cheap... And it's very durable too! 180 cm. long and can hold a weight on 200 kg. :shock:

When I tie mine up, I always use a round turn & two halfhitches. That's the right knot for the job! :-D

Cheers :uu:

 

[bushblade]

Pitch it so the foot end and head end are level, not one end higher than the other.
Use a knot that can be released easily after being placed under tension, I don't recommend using half hitches, one that can be released with a pull on the free end is best.
Old thermarests do slip arround, so you need to have it semi inflated and put it inside your sleeping bag.
And don't forget drip lines, if you want to stay dry anyway.

 

[jakunen]

Useful tips as I only got mine last week (free) :-D and haven't had a chance to try it out yet...

 

[TheViking]

Hi...

I don't recommend using half hitches, one that can be released with a pull on the free end is best.

You mean Highwaymans hitch??
But if you are hammocking in a 15 m. tree in the top, and by an accident pull in the 'tie up' end....... :yikes: :shock: It is possible.

Two halfhitches are actually (when tied up right and pulled hard) very stabil.

Cheers :uu:

 

[bushblade]

No not a highway mas hitch.
These are good
http://www.pyramidbodyguards.co.uk/raymears/hintsandtips.asp
You would have to pull a long length to untie it, its not going to happen by accident. But if you are worried, put a small stick in the last loop and pull the knot tight over this, break the stick to untie.
Half hitches are good and secure, but a pain to untie after being loaded.

 

[jakunen]

Looks a useful knot to learn... :biggthump

 

[bushblade]

Perhaps these may help

This ones not a very good pic, but you get the idea

 

[leon-1]

And don't forget drip lines, if you want to stay dry anyway.

I have drip lines, but you can also use sqaush balls on the sashes of your hammock to try and keep you dry. You may still suffer from a little capillary action, but it will keep the majority of it off. :-D

 

[bushblade]

I haven't heard of the squash ball trick. I'm assuming you cut the ball in half, punch a hole in it and slide it over the suspension tapes?

I did used to suffer the occasional damp night, then I put Karabiners in where you see the rings now, worked very well. The Stainless steel rings are available from point north as is the webbing.

Since using the rings I've never suffered a damp hammock, to the extent that I went and got myself a down sleeping bag.

Just out of interest what do the Hennesy's have in the way of drip lines/rings?
I've only had a quick try of Stuarts hammock, and don't remember if it had them, or even if it needed them.

 

[Wayne]

My hennsey is an old cocoon model. it does not have any drip rings that i am aware of. I didn't occur to me that it might need them so thanks for the tip. i am planning to use it with a one season down bag this weekend on my woodcraft course. the weather should allow me to test it pretty well.

 

[bushwacker bob]

are you taking it this weekend Wayne? Enjoy your course, look forward to hearing about it.

 

[Stuart]

Firstly the hennesy hammock does not require drip rings (I've had mine out in a tropical cyclone) the water drips off where the prussic knot holding the retaining clip for the tarp meets the main line

secondy you will find that you sleep more comfortly on the hennesy if your feet are a little higher than your head, this way your back is flat so you dont slide into a ball in the middle of the hammock and you sleep with your legs slightly raised

thirdly the hennesy does not require any knots (quick relese or otherwise) the line is simply wrapped around itself in a fig 8 three times and it binds sucurely (simply follow the instructions on the bag)

 

[Simon]

Nice pic ..... all you need is a dry martini and it's a home away from home

 

[Philbert]

I am intending on making the Thai hammock demonstrated in the DIY section. However this design leaves you with two live ends as the length of tape that you tie up with runs right through the end of the hammock.

Should i think of retrofitting it with different cord? Drip rings? and the like :?:

Anyone have any suggestions, It would be most helpful before i get the needle and thred out! Cheers