Newbie Hangin' ?'s

[Cuffs]

Where do I start?!?!

OK, here's what I have...

HH Desert Rat (cuz it was on sale) with the extra large sil-nylon fly (the one that comes with it was much smaller). The standard straps and ropes that come with...

I have learned to tie the HH fig. 8 knots, not a problem.

1. How do I hang/attach to the tree the fly? What type/style knot/lashing should I be using? Is it supposed to attach to the hammock?

2. Whats the deal with these "slap straps" or this 'biner set up? Easier? How much more weight? How difficult to reconfigure/sew/tie one of those setups?

I want to make a semi-permanent setup for home. I want to sink and set to wood poles in the back yard.

3. If I use regular poles from Lowes, they are smooth, not like bark on a tree... Will the straps stay there?

4. Anything else useful I need to know?

[jlb2012]

1. tie a line to the tarp however you want (I can't remember what the point of the HH tarp looks like) if its a D ring just tie a bowline through the D; attach the line to the tree with a round turn and two half hitches where the last hitch is slipped

2. beats me

3. probably yes but if it slips then just do a round turn with the strap before tieing on the hammock

4. yes

[headchange4u]

1. The stock HH tarp normally attaches to some little hooks on the support line. Your larger tarp may be different, but you can always tie it to the same trees you attach your hammock.

2. Biners are a little easier for attachment but they are normally used with webbing instead of the stock HH Spectra support line. IMHO, switching from the stock HH Spectra to some sort of webbing (I recommend polyester webbing) is your best bet and it's an easy mod. There are several threads on making the switch to webbing with a HH. Just do a search.

Ring buckle supports are the best way to hang the hammock I feel.

If you do switch to webbing you don't need all those fancy biners and buckles. Just use the 4 wrap knot.

I've never used Slap Straps, but I don't think they aork well with a HH.

3. A hammock will not slip when using smooth 4x4's. I use them in my back yard.

4. Plenty. Start reading up on the different types of pads and under quilts for bottom insulation and keeping warm in the winter.

[Cuffs]

Ive been reading the ring buckle thread... man thats a long one... and still not finished it yet! I like the idea. Not having my HH in front of me to look at, I am concerned about removing the cording and then reattaching the webbing...

While I wasnt looking at a 4 x 4, but instead a round "fence post" maybe that would be better...

Not going to get into the "winter" or cold weather gear yet. I have to get familiar with what Ive got first!

[angrysparrow]

Ive been reading the ring buckle thread... man thats a long one... and still not finished it yet! I like the idea. Not having my HH in front of me to look at, I am concerned about removing the cording and then reattaching the webbing...

There is a post by 'GrizzlyAdams', with pics, near the end of the ring buckle discussion that should clearly show how to remove the Spectra rope from a HH and replace it with another line to the rings. Also, if you use SnakeSkins, remember to put those on before tying off the knots for the buckles. Combine that with JustJeff's ring buckls directions and it should be pretty clear.

[GrizzlyAdams]

I've been reading the ring buckle thread... man thats a long one... and still not finished it yet! I like the idea. Not having my HH in front of me to look at, I am concerned about removing the cording and then reattaching the webbing...
...
OK, here's what I have...

HH Desert Rat (cuz it was on sale) with the extra large sil-nylon fly (the one that comes with it was much smaller). The standard straps and ropes that come with...
...

There is a post by 'GrizzlyAdams', with pics, near the end of the ring buckle discussion that should clearly show how to remove the Spectra rope from a HH and replace it with another line to the rings. Also, if you use SnakeSkins, remember to put those on before tying off the knots for the buckles. Combine that with JustJeff's ring buckls directions and it should be pretty clear.

I'm back.

I've got a Desert Rat also. Concerning a later comment by the venerable very-cool-safari-clone-making TeeDee, I couldn't wrap the suspension cord around the rings. No way, no how. The rope is not pliable enough; the tightest loop I can make has a diameter of at least 2". Clearly not the same stuff that most people who've post on this topic have. So I used some Dyneema from BPL I have lying around for hanging bear bags. A single strand has a 1400 lb test strength. A touch pricey this rope. Helps to be a BPL member. Of course, if you can keep the existing rope and use that on the rings it is almost surely a better way to ease into this. I don't mind telling you I snapped the tie holding down the knot cover and undid that knot with some trepidation. Replacing the rope means that you need to have your bowline tieing skills down cold.

This weekend I'm going to use a longer bit of rope (maybe 5 ft doubled up rather than the 4 ft I used before). Last weekend I untied the knots, again, threaded the skins to sit between rings and hammock, and redid the knots. It is a mite crowded in that stretch of rope now. I'm some concerned about having space to attach underquilt and underliner cords to the new rope. I think I'd like to get those attached to the rope at a clear point between the skins and hammock (so the shock cords aren't up against the skins), which means pushing the scrunched up skins back towards the rings. I think I'll also pop a ring in there following VVCSCMTD's suggestion. Note to self: if the ring is a solid piece, then slip it onto the rope after the skins, and before tieing that blasted knot again.

this place is chock full of folks with good ideas. Now if I could just get those ideas all lined up at once, and not keep discovering what I should have done...

Grizz

[headchange4u]

While I wasnt looking at a 4 x 4, but instead a round "fence post" maybe that would be better...

Round "fence" post should work fine also.

[angrysparrow]

There seems to be some confusion here about the ring buckles and "modifying" the Hennessy hammock.

To use the ring buckles, you do NOT need to modify the Hennessy hammock in any way. No need to "remove" the spectra or anything else.

That's certainly true. Replacing the Spectra offers some weight savings, and makes you more familiar with the way the HH is actually tied though, which I think is a good thing.

Also, I find that a smaller line holds the rings together more tightly. That may not be practically necessary, but I prefer it that way.

[angrysparrow]

Interesting - I've used the ring buckles on line all the way from 1/8" diameter up to 1/4" diameter and found that for me the diameter of the line made no difference.

How careful I was in lining things up made a difference. Then when someone suggested the half hitch, I found that helped a lot also. But, for me, I found no difference at all in the line diameter.

Oh, I'm not saying that it makes a difference necessarily in the hang, just that I simply couldn't get the large spectra of the standard HH to hold the rings as snugly as spyderline(maybe I needed to tie it differently). I then cut the spectra to a short length and tied spyderline to that with a double sheet bend, with the spyderline extending to the rings. That suited me better. At least until I saw these pics (here and here) where the simplicity of simply doing away with the spectra all together was demonstrated. After seeing/doing that, I find it to be far superior to keeping the bulk of the standard spectra. JMO

[blackbishop351]

By the way, in setting your posts, I would suggest a minimum distance of 16' to 18'. 18' being better. I suggest the 18', because if you get the DIY bug and decide to make your own hammock, you will probably want it longer. As Speer writes on his site: "Longer is more comfortable". And it doesn't have to be noticeably heavier either.

I might go a different way myself. The longer the hang, the tighter your suspension has to be to combat additional stretch and sag - keeping your butt off the ground. To me, that just adds aggravation and possibly additional stress to your suspension. When I'm hiking, I look for my "ideal" distance of about 14'-15'. I'd likely shoot for the same with a stand or posts at home. JMO.