Well I feel a little awkward on this - On the last gathering I could not help but notice that most of you hang your hammocks a little lower. With all the customization no surprise there. My (in)experience is I have to get the installation base of the hammock above 12" or I wake up on with my butt on the ground. Well I am 225-230, so perhaps unavoidable.
I understand why because you don't want to fall far, but how do you judge when you have to figure out stretch of the material and cord?
There was an Old Man with a owl,
Who continued to bother and howl;
He sat on a rail, And imbibed bitter ale,
Which refreshed that Old Man and his owl.WOO
but for me the distance to ground is determined by optimal sitting height for cooking and changing shoes--this distance varies based on which hammock type but for most gathered ends I own/use it is close to same. I learned long ago to 'walk back' the hammock when getting in or out and you can walk back even when the hammock is really low to the ground.
Another thing I do and I've seen others is this; set up the hammock, get in to apply the stretching weight, get out and readjust one time and then your good to go.
I do the same as Medicine Man. I want mine where is comfortable to sit/relax/cook from. Never measured how far off the ground I am. I have not noticed that I am any lower come morning, so if I am, it can't be much
Are you using nylon straps? They stretch like crazy and will lower anyone to the ground by morning. If you do have nylon straps, just change them for polyester straps.
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
Yes I am using the straps - but up to now I thought it was the ropes! So I am going to pitch lower and tighter.
Best knot on the straps? need a qick release - Marlin Spike is old.
There was an Old Man with a owl,
Who continued to bother and howl;
He sat on a rail, And imbibed bitter ale,
Which refreshed that Old Man and his owl.WOO
In that there nothing wrong with the MSH. I've used it on several occasions when I've got too much tree hugger. But for a quick release I've always liked the knot promoted by Warbonnet...the slipped buntline hitch:
http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/slipped-buntline/
Works great with amsteel, don't know about webbing
"Tighter" will probably work against you in comfort and how much the hammock moves down when you sit in it. Try to get the hang angle of the suspension at about 30*. Tighter than that increases the suspension tension quickly.Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl
Even when I used the stock Hennessy suspension and Hennessy knot, I never ended up with my butt on the ground. In fact, I never even noticed that the distance from the ground changed at all overnight.
After converting the Hennessy to whoopies, I do an initial adjustment, sit down, adjust again, and it stays in place all night long. If you're getting that kind of stretch or overnight sag, I suspect you might want to look at changing your knots or just changing the suspension outright to something more reliable.
Thanks..............
There was an Old Man with a owl,
Who continued to bother and howl;
He sat on a rail, And imbibed bitter ale,
Which refreshed that Old Man and his owl.WOO
The tighter the hang the farther the initial drop. I know does not make any intuitive sense but I find it very accurate. Hang at roughly 30* and you will not drop as much. Hang tight and you'll end up close to 30* anyways. Save yourself the frustration.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
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