hammock sag in the middle

[FLRider]

how far apart would you say the maximum distance for the HH would be? If I recall the recommended is 12 to 20 feet. Is that right? Which would mean 12 ft is bare minimum and if my shoes are a little smaller than I thought maybe I was only at 11 ft or so.

If I can avoid it, I don't hang on trees that are more'n fifteen feet apart. My rule of thumb is my tarp: I have the (huge!) 12-ft-long Hennessy Hex tarp. If I can just fit that, the trees are the perfect distance (~13 ft) apart. I wouldn't try to hang from trees that are more'n sixteen feet or so apart if I could avoid it, though I've hung from trees as far apart as eighteen feet.

But, as noted in my last post, I like a lot more sag than most folks do. Just an heads-up.

Hope it helps!

[mrsmileyns]

good rule of thumb - i need to measure out my tarp ridgeline, plus prusiks and s-biners and add a couple inches on - I have a maccat deluxe - that should give me my minimum distance for trees

[hanging pirate]

could also be the tree huggers or rope. what are they made of ? nylon has a tendency to stretch ...alot causing more sag. polyester not so much.

[mrsmileyns]

my webbing is polyester - the rope is what comes with the HH

[FLRider]

my webbing is polyester - the rope is what comes with the HH

Yep. Haven't had a problem with sag in either of 'em myself; the line with the Hennessys is Spectra (or, at least, its core is), if memory serves.

[rip waverly]

if the head end is higher than the foot, you run the chance of getting 'dumped' down into the hammock. hence, the U-shape.

it happened to me once when set up on a hill - it was hard to gauge the balance, and i ended up slipping down towards the foot end, and being crumpled up. lost my UQ seal in the process=cold.

that was my worst night in the hammock. i now ensure enough time and testing before nodding off for the night.

[SilvrSurfr]

I never did get the hang of that Hennessy rope suspension. To adjust I always had to untie one end. I went to whoopies really fast after a few nights with those darned ropes.

Some people say you need slack in the ridgeline, but I always make sure mine is taut. If it's slack it's not doing anything, in my opinion. If you make it too taut, I'm sure it would snap, but that hasn't happened to me yet.

[gargoyle]

The tree on the one end is kinda small. Overtime, it could have bent some under load, and gently reduced the rl tension.

Did your tarp have any noticeable sag? Especially before you exited the hammock.

[mrsmileyns]

thanks for all the input on this - I did think one of the trees was a little small. The tarp did have some sag but I think its because the trees were a little close together and the tarp was not pulled completely taught to begin with.

I have a few things to try differently next time