Alternative to Amsteel

[Hammerkwml]

What's up all,

I've been lurking here for a long time and have been piecing together a diy hammock setup. Even though my sewing skills suck I have made a whipped end hammock (a la Just Jeff's) and a Cat cut tarp using elements from the infamous Black Cat PDF and the hex tarp plans on Backwoods Daydreamer.

The hammock has been around for a while but the tarp is new. The setup has not been in the woods yet.

I decided that I wanted to suspend my tarp and hammock from the same line and went through the process of figuring out (at least on paper) how to do that. I used 50' of 7/64 Amsteel Blue and I realized that I did not do enough research on this stuff because it doesn't like knots and prussiks slide on it like nobody's business. These two things were imperative to the plan.

Essentially, I was going to use a Girth Hitch to attach a rappel ring to my tree straps. I would have the tarp attached to the ridgeline using prussik knots and use truckers hitches to suspend the tarp between the two rappel rings. On the ridgeline just inside the the end of the tarp I would use alpine butterfly knots to create loops from which to clip my hammock to the ridgeline using some light biners.

I have looked around and cannot find the info that I am looking for and I was hoping somebody here could help. I want to find a reasonable alternative to Amsteel that does not stretch, is light, strong and is much less slippery.

I apologize if this is somewhere on here already, I tried looking for myself but came up empty handed.

Thanks,
Hammer

[goobie]

From what I've read hammock and tarp on the same line doesn't work well at all. Sit in your hammock and watch what the suspension lines do

[gmcttr]

Goobie has a good point.

However, to answer your question...New England Ropes Spyderline is one possibility for what you are proposing.

Buy it here.

[BigBearCamper]

Go to REI and buy some 7/16 rappel rope. It doesn't stretch and you can use prusik knots on it, in fact, REI sells prusik cord that is already tied.

[DemostiX]

Clark supplies as standard twisted polypropylene rope. Inexpensive, somewhat stiff, knots and un-knots pretty well. Limited lifetime when exposed to sun, maybe just dozens of years of nighttime hanging.

Otherwise, just check boating supplies for quality line with a braided cover, perhaps polyester over polyester, from one of the major cordage makers. I keep 50ft of 2500lb bs cordage in my car for some emergency,

Check prices from Redden Marine, print an order you don't actually submit; and then take the order, with prices, to someone local who will price-match, such as your West Marine store.

[gunner76]

prussiks slide on it like nobody's business

Trying adding a few extra wraps with the prussiks.

[nothermark]

Hmmm, Hammock and tarp on the same line is how Hennessy makes their small tarp work. That would seem to indicate it works... The question is whether or not that is what you want to have happening. Do you want the tarp bouncing up and down with the hammock as you get in and out. There is also a significant advantage in being able to deploy the tarp separately in wet weather. Up first, down last, carried outside the pack to it does not transfer moisture to everything else.

If I was going your route I would clove hitch two rings in for the hammock. The spacing will give you a SRL so you can use climbing biners or just tie off the hammock at that point.

The major problem with prussics is similar diameter line. The same size line does not work as well as a small line over a big one. I would use 1/8 amsteel for the ridge line and smaller line like braided masons for the prussics and probably add a turn. The yatch braid is an alternative if the jacket will take the strain. I'm saying that is a failure mode but may not be a problem. I do not know.

[darkbyrd]

I've had 1.75mm tech line hold very well on 7/64 amsteel, ymmv

[Hammerkwml]

Ok, thanks guys. I think I'm going to use the amsteel to try my hand at making whoopie slings and find something cheap at walmart or home depot for tarp lines. At this point it doesn't make sense to go nuts.

[Gravity]

Here's my favorite video on making whoopie slings:
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ad.php?t=70189

And for tarp lines, a lot of people use zing-it or lash-it. Buy it for $5.50 for 25 feet, and low shipping charges at:
http://dutchwaregear.com/tarp-accessories/

He also sells amsteel.