First hang today

**unsponsored** · 09-13-2008, 14:53

Had my first hang today in my all black Ticket to the moon hammock. Had around 40 mins this PM in the back yard after fixing the expansion bolts into the walls. Its a weird feeling to start of with but really comfy once used to the slight motion.

Replaced the standard hooks with climbing carabiners which will make it more secure. I didn't like the idea of just having open ended hooks.

I have a maccat deluxe ready to go, but need to get my guy lines sorted out.

How long should they be?

**Schneiderlein** · 09-13-2008, 15:21

Originally Posted by unsponsored

I have a maccat deluxe ready to go, but need to get my guy lines sorted out.

How long should they be?

Congratulations on your first hang. For the tarp guy lines, I use about 5 or 6 feet, but a lot of people seem to prefer longer lines to be able to tie off to trees or bushes or anything else around rather than using stakes.

You may also want to check out the tarp tensioner thread that explains how to incorporate shock cord into the guy lines.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 09-13-2008, 15:31

Originally Posted by unsponsored

...
I have a maccat deluxe ready to go, but need to get my guy lines sorted out.

How long should they be?

I'm reminded of a joke that asks how long your legs ought to be....long enough to reach the floor.

Let's suppose you hang the tarp at 48" above the ground, with a pretty wide 60 degree pitch. With a 60" long side, that puts the tie-outs 24" above the ground, and you'll need to continue with that angle to keep that pitch so there is 60" needed to get to ground. Seems like a lot, but 60 degrees is a pretty wide pitch.

I use really lightweight cord and don't mind carrying more of it than I usually need, in order that I can tie the tarp to far-away trees or shrubs or branches. So I use about 120" at each tie-out, and most of the time most of it is neatly bundled up.

Clearly you can do with less than 5 or 10 feet, by accepting lower ridgelines and/or steeper pitches than I've described.

Grizz

**Just Jeff** · 09-13-2008, 15:44

Haha - Griz, I've never seen anybody actually use math to figure out how long guylines need to be. You're awesome man. Or at least unique...

I'm about to shorten mine, actually. I have the JRB tarp tensionsers but there have only been a few occasions where I've needed the entire length of one...and never needed the entire length on all 4 at once.

What I'm planning to do is shorten them to 3-4' and put a loop in the end. Larkshead over the stake will work in most cases, or a normal hitch when shorter. If I need longer guylines, I always have a few short lengths in my pack just for repairs or whatever...I'll just add this to the one that stays connected to the tarp for that night.

Having 4' tarp cords will significantly reduce the fiddle factor of packing the tarp up, and I'll still have the ability to use longer lines when needed.

**JaxHiker** · 09-13-2008, 16:17

My MacCat just arrived in the mail today. I picked up 75' of hot pink line from Home Depot today and I figured on six 10' tie-out lines for some flexibility. I figured the hot pink will keep me from tripping over them like I do the black lines.

**unsponsored** · 09-13-2008, 16:23

The line I have is hot pink dyneema with little plastic lockouts like these -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=180280756300

I know "how long is a piece of string" is my question but i wanted a "good" idea of what would be a suitable length without going mad.

**Just Jeff** · 09-13-2008, 17:47

No worries on the simple questions - that's why this forum is here. The experience of the forum saves you enough time in the beginning trial and error that you can quickly move on to experimenting with things WE haven't thought up yet!! You'll pay it back soon, I bet. Welcome to the club...you'll be addicted in no time...

**JaxHiker** · 09-14-2008, 07:06

Here's a tip. There are FOUR side tie-outs on the Deluxe, not SIX.

:: kicking myself for being stupid and not cutting my lines right ::

Oh well, she still looks pretty.