Termanology / Equipment?

[Willy M]

Although I've been hanging in my HH Asym for many years out here in Maryland, W.Va. and Pa, I'm very new to this forum. Just when I thought I was getting pretty "high-tech", I discovered this forum which is outstanding.
That said, can someone out there enlighten me on amsteel, whoopies, cuben material and is it better than silnylon?

I've also used Hennessy tree huggers and thought they were pretty durable. What else is out there that might be stronger / better? I'd appreciate any info you all could offer.

[MAD777]

Welcome to the forum from Florida!

Here's the short version of the answer to your questions.
Whoopies are constrictor ropes that allow you to easily adjust the length of your hammock suspension they are lighter and take less space than an all strap suspension. You still need shorter straps to go around the tree. The whoopies connect those straps to the end of your hammock. They are made from 7/64" or 1/8" Amsteel or from 2mm Dynaglide. (7/64" Amsteel seems to be most popular). It costs about $0.25 per foot.

Cuben is a non-woven spectra based fabric with a mylar coating used for tarps. As you probably know, the lightest silnylon tarps weigh about 1.4 oz/sy whereas cuben weighs 0.51 oz/sy. Cuben is actually sail material and comes in various weights, but the 0.51 is what is commonly used for tarps. The panels are bonded together. Did I mention that it is expensive - almost $30 per yard (54" wide).

[cloudedice]

I'd check out the stickies in the various forums. Most of the topics are covered and many with detailed diagrams, photo sets, or videos.

Amsteel is a lightweight rope made of braided Dyneema(tm) strands. It's incredibly strong and light. Typical diameters in use on this forum are 1/8" and 7/64" which have tensile strengths of about 2300lbs and 1600 respectively. (Much of this is from my limited memory so I'm sure someone will correct me if it's a bit off)

Whoopies are an applications of using am steel where part of the rope is inserted through the braids of the am steel making an adjustable loop that won't slip when force is applied and doesn't degrade the strength of the amsteel.

Someone else will have to summarize cuben as I'm not that familiar with it.

ETA: I see MAD has responded. I'm sure the info is better than mine.

Also, welcome from CT!

[Loki]

Welcome to HF from NC!

[fgblueenohanger]

Welcome to the forums from Lawrenceville, GA

[weaver2469]

It sounds like you are pretty experienced and not in any way a "noob", but i highly recommend HF member Shug's video series about hammocking for noobs. It is really informative in the basics, along with the latest and greatest. Here is the first one. (They are pretty entertaining, too. He is a bluegrass picker and former Ringling Bros. clown.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZV...feature=relmfu

[2ply]

+1 on Shug's video! And welcome to HF

[Willy M]

My thanks to everyone who responded. Now, I'm a little more clear on the "hang" equipment. Yes, I did check out the Shug videos. What a talented guy!

As for now, I'll continue to use my HH and silnyon fly although that War Bonnet Black Bird has my interest. Don't get me wrong my HH is very comfortable but the "foot space" on the war bonnet would be a real luxury. On the other hand it doesn't seem to have the visability of the HH. Decisions, decisions. Thanks again for the feedback.

[gunner76]

welcome to the madness

[Acer]

Read and read more,,ask away any and all questions as someone here has an answer. We all have opinions as well.. Welcome to the forum!