Will this work? (SMD ring / HH ULBA set-up)

[FishBone]

I'm looking for a way to keep my original HH ULBA tie-out lines intact but get more/easier adjustability (as opposed to using the HH figure 8 lashing).

I'd like to use SMD rings / garda hitch and attach them to the HH tie-out lines right next to the hammock with a larkshead knot. Tie-out lines would then go to the tree huggers and back to the rings for final attachment/adjustment.

Is this advisable, or would the knot weaken the line beyond a safe working margin?

[Just Jeff]

I did that using a prussik and it worked fine. Just make sure your cord is smaller than the HH support rope, and it's rated for the working load with a margin of safety. I used Air Core Plus from BPL.

[FishBone]

I hadn't thought of a prussick; I was thinking of using the tie-out line itself to form the larkshead. Using the prissick would also allow me to move the knot/rings outboard to accomodate wider tree spacings. Great idea! Thanks.

[Just Jeff]

You could probably make it work w/ the HH supports as well, though. I don't think a larkshead would hold but a clove hitch probably would.

But the prussik would allow you to adjust it if the trees were too far apart. Not sure how often that would happen though - you gain the length of supports that you'd normally be using for the lashing.

If you don't have any suitable cord for the prussik, why not try the clove hitch first? If it doesn't work in the field, you can always just use the normal HH lash that night. Or just move the clove hitch closer to the end of the support.

Whichever way you choose, be sure to update us on how it works!

[FishBone]

I'm going to go with the prussick idea since it's easily adjustable in/out along the tie-out line; I like the flexibility. I already have some Amsteel Blue 7/16 that should work well. I may not get out hanging too soon (although it's 60 degrees here in Nashville today!), but I'll do a report asap. Thanks for sharing your expertise!