When you hang the rain fly (or tarp) independent of the hammock do you use a ridgeline running the long axis of the fly and tied off to the trees to support the rain fly, or do you just tie the ends of the rain fly to the trees? I can see the advantages of hanging the fly independent of the hammock and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I have concerns that the rain fly might sag too much in the middle without a ridgeline for support.
On my tarp I just tie the corners to the tree without support down the length. It doesn't sag, but that could be because it has those fancy cuts that make it not square, but curved on the edges. Catenary cut maybe? I preffer this becauce I would be afraid that since you hang the tarp the same most of the time, the same part of the tarp would always rub on the rope running down the middle. This could wear holes easier and weaken the tarp. Friction bad.
I don't use a ridgeline to support my tarp, but will be adding a non-structural ridgeline on my hammock for utility's sake. If you pull your tarp taught, you shouldn't have any major sag issues along the long axis of your tarp. A lot of folks here are using http://www.niteize.com the Niteize Figure 9 to tension their tarps. I got mine a couple weeks ago, and have set my trap up with them to see how well I like them and think they're great! Lots of people had them at the April SEHHA Hangout in Hot Springs. Very cool little gizmo for next to nothing, I think they cost $ 2 apiece at REI.Originally Posted by Undershaft
Last edited by Hooch; 05-02-2007 at 02:42. Reason: I before E exept after C
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
I have a MacCat Deluxe and do not use a ridgeline. I have ~ 15' of spectra on either end of the tarp with a niteize figure 9 gizmo. The tarp stays taunt, although, I like TeeDees idea. BD
Just Jeff made me do it
Do you use the small or large figure 9 gizmo?
MQ
I do not use a ridgeline on my tarp. I am using a Cat tarp. I did not use it when I was using the stock HH tarp either. The material in the tarp works good enough for me.
Having the tarp seperate allows you to set it up first and take it down last in the rain. Allowing you to keep everything dry and in the pack when the tarp is not up. It also allows you to set it up fast during the day if you want a quick break from the rain or sun.
I have also ran into problems with tarp tension when it was attached to the ridgeline. When the hammock would sag, the tarp would get extra slack and flap in the wind. Tieing it up seperately makes it independent of the tree.
That's just what works for me. Try all the options and decide for yourself.
Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".
It may only be rated to 50 pounds but I bet you can put a whole lot more pull on it than that without it breaking!
Stoikurt
"Work to Live...Don't Live to Work!"
If you are using tarp tensioners it would be really easy not to put too much force on them. Just pull it out so that there is an inch or so left for the tensioner to stretch.
Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".
I use the small ones.
“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett
Me too, neither. Hm.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
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