First night out in storm, observations...

**ikemouser** · 09-20-2009, 20:18

First night out, testing my setup in a major rain storm, my observations:

Hammock stayed relatively dry, with a few problems:

1. Ends of hammock on each side were damp, not saturated, just damp, could forgetting to tie slippery half hitches in my whoppie slings cause the water to track down to the fabric bundle on my BB? Or are endcovers in order? If so where would one get spinn fabric for them?

2. I had some trouble tying my knot for my tarp-i have a tiny dring attatched to a bowline on one side, i just wrap and clip to that tree. But on the other side i had trouble tying the a knot and had to result to a messy but secure shoelace type-ughh!

So i need some suggestions on the knot, it needs to be a non adjustable knot, as i slide my tarp with prussic knots connected to the drings, it just has to hold the line tight. So please make some suggestions in this area.

3. Also need some advice on stake knots, i tried the one i saw in ATTROLL's video 'stake knot' and brandons, but i cannot seem to get it to stay (i know i know its so easy), and when it does stay it does not feel secure. So currently doing taut-line hitches, seeking something better.

4. Finally, does it matter if you attach your marlin spike toggle halfway down the dangling end of the webbing, or do you HAVE to secure the toggle as close to the tree as possible. Does either one affect how the hammock lays? I seemed to notice either my hammock being smaller lengthwise and me sliding down towards the foot end (yet it was higher), dont know if it was caused by the spike or not.

thanks guys.

Sidenote fun Emergency tarp method:

Oh yea, also interesting to note: I have 2 BB hammocks but only one tarp, so i went to home depot paid 3.50 for a 2ml thick 15x9 piece of plastic. I attached it to the prussic loops by folding it several times to make the connection stronger, then i attached the prussic to it. I did the same thing with the side guyline attachments. I tied bowlines in those with the plastic folded over several times, held great in the wind and rain. Just a cool way i guess to make an emergency tarp for 3.50, later!

**angrysparrow** · 09-20-2009, 20:32

1 - Not likely. It could be simply some blown-in rain that caused the dampness.

2 - Truckers Hitch, perhaps.

3 - The marlinspike hitch works at the stake nicely. Just imagine the stake as the spike.

4 - Doesn't matter, and doesn't affect the lay at all.

**ikemouser** · 09-20-2009, 20:42

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

1 - Not likely. It could be simply some blown-in rain that caused the dampness.

2 - Truckers Hitch, perhaps.

3 - The marlinspike hitch works at the stake nicely. Just imagine the stake as the spike.

4 - Doesn't matter, and doesn't affect the lay at all.

I like #3, gonna try that for sure.

**Hooch** · 09-20-2009, 20:44

Originally Posted by ikemouser

3. Also need some advice on stake knots.......

Two words: clove hitch. There are plenty of ways to attach guy line to a stake, but IMO, this is the simplest, easiest and best.

**ikemouser** · 09-20-2009, 20:55

Is there a link to a real truckers hitch demo video, every1 i goto people are all commenting that 'this aint a truckers hitch'.

**Hooch** · 09-20-2009, 20:57

Trucker's Hitch.

**Mule** · 09-20-2009, 21:43

I tie a slip knot, put it around a stake and put the stake in the ground. If I need to tighten it I take the stake out and move it out some. Then when I am packing up, I slide the slip knot off the stake and give the loose end a jerk and, Walaahh! no knot.

**warbonnetguy** · 09-20-2009, 22:05

ike, for the groundhog hitch, you gotta have the stake positioned correctly first (see my video), then you gotta get the first loop to flip on top of the second and then you're ready to crank it down tight. i put lots of tension on them and have only had problems with the line slipping with a really slippery waxed fishing line, even the single braid urethane coated samson zing it holds great with it. just mess around with it a little.

**BillyBob58** · 09-20-2009, 22:20

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

1 - Not likely. It could be simply some blown-in rain that caused the dampness..

Is there no need for drip lines? How is water flow down the lines into the hammock blocked?

**angrysparrow** · 09-20-2009, 22:24

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Is there no need for drip lines? How is water flow down the lines into the hammock blocked?

With whoopie slings, the flow is diverted down the 'tail end' of the sling.

I observed that at length this weekend, during a very wet weekend of kayaking in Bankhead NF.