Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 29
  1. #1
    Senior Member bindibadgi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1dbl
    Tarp
    WL Tadpole
    Insulation
    UQ and TQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Speed Hooks
    Posts
    295
    Images
    6

    Should a heavy guy string the Hennessy tight?

    I've sniffed out a few threads on this subject (how tight to hang the Hennessy), but I'm not entirely sure that they covered the topic from the angle of heavy dudes. Also, the threads were quite old, and it's possible Hennessy has changed the ridge line since then.

    I just got an Explorer Deluxe Asym Zip, and I'm trying to figure out how tight to hang it. Currently I've gone with roughly 30 degree angles down from horizontal at the trees, as recommended in The Ultimate Hang (Great book by the way!). The threads I saw all seemed to say the same thing: hang it as tight as you can (unless you have cinch straps or some other form of mechanical advantage). Even the video of Tom Hennessy hanging up his hammock suggests to do it tightly.

    My concern is that the ridge line seems quite tight, even with my 30 degree angle (angle measured without weight in the hammock). Is it possible that I'll end up on my arse if I pull it too tight? Is the ridge line up to the task?

    I'm not up to the 300lb limit, but if I were to put on a bit more weight (my wife owns a cake and cupcake decorating business ), and with all my stuff hung from the ridge line, I could be pushing 280 I guess.

    Should I replace the line? Should I hang it loose? Should I just stop worriting, hang it up tight and go to sleep?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Catavarie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    USA
    Hammock
    LeanGreen/BigRed/DIY
    Tarp
    CatCut Hex/GG12
    Insulation
    Fur I grow myself
    Suspension
    Of Disbelief
    Posts
    3,300
    Images
    3
    I'd say that if your in doubt, then give Hennessy a call and ask them directly. I've yet to test out a Hennessy so I can't talk from first hand experience. But many manufacturers build in safety margins to their numbers, while they say 300# weight limit the hammock in question may really be able to handle 400# or 500#, but as they want to limit their exposure to lawsuit (it has become the American way to get rich after all) they often reccomend something far below the normal threshold for failure.

    As always remember, never hang higher than you are willing to fall.
    *Heaven best have trees, because I plan to lounge for eternity.

    Good judgement is the result of experience and experience the result of bad judgement. - Mark Twain

    Trail name: Radar

    2014 Smoked Butt Hang Planning Thread | Sign up Sheet

  3. #3
    Senior Member Grinder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    winter haven, florida
    Hammock
    DIY double layer
    Tarp
    Guide Gear
    Insulation
    Pad or DIY quilt
    Suspension
    rings and strap
    Posts
    755
    Images
    19
    IMHO

    Just an opinion, but here goes.
    Run the math on the side load as you increase the tension on the hang.

    It goes up to many multiples of the "hung weight" For a big guy this would go well into the thousand pound range.

    Because of the built in ridge line, Hennessy's seem to be more prone to the tight hang.

    I keep expecting to read about a rotten tree falling on someone, but never have heard of it.

    I used 850 pound test rings for my buckles. One hang, with the trees kind of far apart, I tried to get my butt off the ground by tightening the straps a little more. The rings peeled like a ripe grape when I got in to test it. I weigh 150/160

    I just read all of the original post. If you obey the 30 degree guideline, I wouldn't worry about the hammock if the manufacturer says you're in the weight range.
    grinder

  4. #4
    Senior Member GrizzlyAdams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Illinois
    Hammock
    GrizzBridge Ariel
    Tarp
    HG Cuben Winter
    Insulation
    DIY UQ
    Posts
    4,777
    Images
    564
    The function of a structural ridgeline like you have in the HH is to "set the sag", to wit, keep the two ends of the hammock from being pulled any farther apart than the length of the ridgeline. If you are in the hammock, and the ridgeline has no droop in it, it has completed its sag mission. For the purposes of setting the sag there is absolutely no reasons to have the ridgeline be any tauter. The "perfect hang" is where the tree straps are set at a height where there's enough tension in the ridgeline to keep the netting up and not be pulled down much by whatever is in your ditty bag hanging from it.

    That said, a side benefit of having a structural ridgeline is that you can hang from trees at the farther range of hangable, with strap placement that is lower than you'd use without a ridgeline to get the same distance between the hammock ends. A bit of convenience, but one that can put strain on the ridgeline. And that's where you rightly come in asking about what's what with the ridgeline. If you were 300 lbs (avoid the cupcakes!), at a given placement of tree straps, you're putting 50% more force on the ridgeline than someone at 200 lbs, and 100% more than someone at 150 lbs.

    I believe the Hennessy recommendation to put the straps on and then crank up the tension is just so that the user doesn't have to be concerned with how high to put the tree straps. A bit of practice and experience and you'll soon learn how to set the sag without threatening the ridgeline.
    Grizz
    (alias ProfessorHammock on youtube)

  5. #5
    Senior Member Ken's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Linville Gorge Wilderness
    Hammock
    DIY
    Tarp
    Speer SWT
    Insulation
    hammockgear.com
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    1,090
    I don't think there is ever a reason to hang a hammock tight. Stay at or very near the 30 degrees and you'll be safe and comfortable. Tight stresses the entire system.

    Ooops, Grizz and I doubled. Grizz said it better!

    Ken
    http://www.linvillegorge.net

    "You can't hem up a Rat!" Malcom Johnson, ca. 1970

  6. #6
    Senior Member BillyBob58's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Tupelo, MS
    Posts
    11,108
    Images
    489
    The directions on the stuff sack on my Explorer UL said to pull it moderately tight. If you feel it is way too tight, just loosen things up a bit more to be safe. As long as the comfort is still there, you can stay off the ground and the bug net stays away from your face, you are good to go and not too loose. You can, however, get too tight.

    And if you are having trouble staying high enough above the ground when you don't pull as tight as possible, don't just tighten things up. Rather, move your huggers higher.

  7. #7
    Senior Member bindibadgi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1dbl
    Tarp
    WL Tadpole
    Insulation
    UQ and TQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Speed Hooks
    Posts
    295
    Images
    6
    Thanks for the replies. You guys have pretty much convinced me. I should stay away from the cupcakes.

    I'm going to keep hanging with a 30 degree angle. It's not hard to do, and as Grizz says, once the ridge line is straight, it's already done its job of getting the hang right.

    This way I can be confident that I won't fall, and also that I won't bring a tree down on me! One of the dangers in Australia is that eucalypts (pretty much the only trees around in most areas I go) can fall or drop limbs even if they are entirely healthy looking/feeling. I don't want to be putting any more lateral force on the trees than I have to!

    I'm still curious though: does anybody know what the ridge line is made out of these days on the Hennessy (specifically the Explorer Deluxe)? Is it stronger than it looks? It's got to be only 7/64" or 1/8" at most (I haven't measured it though).

  8. #8
    Senior Member Rain Man's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Hammock
    Hammeck Netty
    Tarp
    HG dyneema/MacCat
    Insulation
    DIY UQ and UGQ TQ
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    2,907
    Images
    8
    Quote Originally Posted by bindibadgi View Post
    Is it possible that I'll end up on my arse if I pull it too tight?
    Absolutely. If you could pull the suspension so that the hammock had no sag at all, then your effective weight would be infinite. Hanging so that the suspension is 30 degrees down from horizontal is good (for several reasons, but not least is reducing stress on the whole system).

    Enjoy!

    Rain Man

    .
    "You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods

    http://www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker
    .

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Hammock
    Hennesy
    Tarp
    various
    Insulation
    pads, foam
    Posts
    4,687
    Images
    17
    What seems to be missed is that you ant to end up at 30 deg not start there. There is enough give in the system as it is sold that you want to pull it more or less flat then as you get in it sags to 30. It might be easier to have somebody else check it when you are in it. Alternatively you can video yourself. Once you get the feel of it you will be fine.

  10. #10
    Senior Member bindibadgi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1dbl
    Tarp
    WL Tadpole
    Insulation
    UQ and TQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Speed Hooks
    Posts
    295
    Images
    6
    That's a good point nothermark. I'm really not sure what angle it sags to when I'm in it. I'll get my wife to take a picture, and then I can measure it.

    Right now, in light of the replies above, I'm going with the philosophy that so long as I'm off the ground and the ridge line is straight when I'm in, the saggier the better. I figure the more sag there is, the lower the strain on the trees will be.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Guitar-string tight
      By Gresh in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 28
      Last Post: 10-09-2012, 15:23
    2. General Use String
      By WonderMonkey in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 12-20-2010, 09:21
    3. Measuring string...
      By attrezzo in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 01-18-2010, 01:24
    4. How tight to hang a Hennessy
      By bigcranky in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 06-13-2008, 13:04
    5. source for string
      By TiredFeet in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 03-16-2008, 19:52

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •