Garda Hitch n Rings in the Rain ?

[riverkeeper]

I've read the rings shed rain runoff well BUT it looks like they may not in some ring orientations.

Anyone with personal experience on this. Took my new hammock out for 4 days but alas no rain to test. Could dump water on the line but assume forum folks have experienced this.

[BillyBob58]

Sometimes folks use a pretty long stretch of rope from the hammock to the rings or buckle. I imagine the rope needs to be short enough so that the rings and rope are under the tarp, while having the hammock tensioned the way you like it. I always make sure this is the case, and so far all has been bone dry during deluges.

[riverkeeper]

OK I'll stop worrying.

The rings are about 4-5 inches from the DIY hammock and under the over size tarp.

[BillyBob58]

OK I'll stop worrying.

The rings are about 4-5 inches from the DIY hammock and under the over size tarp.

Sounds like you have it "covered", so to speak. I think it will be OK if the rings are covered by even a small fraction of an inch, though that is an unproven opinion. Also, even if my buckle is barely- or not completely quite- covered, normally when Ilay in the hammock the ends are pulled at least a bit closer together, and then my buckles are usually very well covered.

[riverkeeper]

Thanks BillyBob--
A clarification. My concern is that water will run down the support lines, either internally or externally, so the hammock eventually gets wet. That's why drip strings are used ... to intercept and divert the water first.

I thought I read hereabouts many months ago that rings or maybe it was buckles efficiently provide the drip string function.

[Javaman]

Some use the dangling prussik loops that the stock HH tarp hooked to on the main support lines. They are left idle when tying the tarp to the trees or to the rings themselves. With the SS in place those get used so I have girth hitched a short (6") piece of reflective line from REI to the main support lines just outside of the tarp ends. This serves to divert and sneaky water that gets past the prussiks.

[riverkeeper]

*** I have girth hitched a short (6") piece of reflective line from REI to the main support lines ***

How far is it from REI to your main support lines? 6 INCHES?

I had a tough English Comp prof and should hit the sack now.

Thanks.

[BillyBob58]

Thanks BillyBob--
A clarification. My concern is that water will run down the support lines, either internally or externally, so the hammock eventually gets wet. That's why drip strings are used ... to intercept and divert the water first.

I thought I read hereabouts many months ago that rings or maybe it was buckles efficiently provide the drip string function.

Yes, exactly. That is the only reason why the buckles need to be under the tarp, because they are providing, among other functions, a drip string function.