Spectra to webbing conversion on HH

[Dingus Khan]

Hey all,

First off, Cheers! and thanks to those whose imput has shaped my hammocking ways, and good luck to those presently either planning or in the first month of their thru.

I am about to order some 1" poly webbing from Ed Speers. I have been planning on modding my EXUL by replacing the spectra with this webbing, cutting the spectra about 8 inches or so from the hammock whipping, tying a bowline to make a loop and stringing about 20 ft of webbing per side. I know some like it shorter for weight reasons, but I'm with those who would prefer flexibility (i think BB uses 25ft per side). Ed's webbing only weighs in at about 5 oz per side (at that length) which is similar to the weight of my tree hugger set up now.
I have basically two questions:

1. Are there any SIGNIFICANT drawbacks to this method? I really don't see any at this point but figured I would ask before I go cutting the spectra.

2. The 1" is rated to 750 lbs tensile strength, while the 1.5" = 1050lbs. Hanging with all gear included I am concerned about the 1" poly since I tend to hang tightly and am aware of the exponential ratio between angle of sag and lbs exerted. Basically I am wondering if the 1" is enough.

Thanks all,

Dan

[Coffee]

I did what you are talking about to my HH. There is a pic of it in my gallery. I weigh in at 220+ lbs and usually have another 20 lbs of gear in my hammock or hanging from it. I have not experienced any issues with the 1" Speer webbing. I use this webbing on my DIY hammock. With a ridgeline I hang it pretty close to how tight I hung my HH.

[headchange4u]

I also removed the Spectra and went to webbing. I will never go back! It much easier to setup, IMHO.

You may want to take a look at getting some polyester webbing. I started a thread a while back on getting cheap webbing for ratchet straps from places like Harbor Freight or Big Lots. The 1" polyester webbing has a breaking strength of 1500lbs, twice that of the Speer PolyPro and it's more abrasion resistant and knots much easier and it's really inexpensive. The Polyester webbing was a little lighter than the Speer Polypro I had been using, but probably not enough to matter.

[Dingus Khan]

yeah, i read that post and have been looking at it, the longest set i found was 14ft though, want longer and have not found it yet...
don't know about harbor freight though, haven't heard of that place

[headchange4u]

I have a store near me but you can shop online:
http://www.harborfreight.com/

You need something longer than 14'? I use ~15' straps and I have never been in a situation where that was not more than enough.

[Dingus Khan]

hmm, i thought someone mentioned using 25 ft for the flexibility with larger trees and varying setup

[Dingus Khan]

well sucker or no sucker i just bought 50 ft of 1" polyester webbing from strapworks. 20$ with shipping. i'll let you know about weight etc when it comes it....

[Coffee]

hmm, i thought someone mentioned using 25 ft for the flexibility with larger trees and varying setup

That might of been me. I used 20' on my HH and DIY when I used the 4-wrap. I still use over 10' with my ring setup. I only needed the full length once outside my backyard. The trees in my backyard are such that I need the length to get the 3rd wrap in. The time in the field was when I setup over a creek.

[Dingus Khan]

yeah, i was worried about how many wraps were needed, thought 3 was the bare minimum. on larger trees with a 12-18" diameter that means long tie outs!
thanks for your input HE!

[Coffee]

I used 2 a couple times, but not for very long. Most times I have a lot extra. I would start long and trim if needed. I just don't want the length to be the limiting factor when I setup camp.