Hennessey Hex leaks

**litetrek** · 06-11-2013, 19:19

I put up my Hennessey hex and left it up for a couple of days through a couple of torrential downpours to see if it was "hangworthy". When I went to take it down I noticed about a 1/4 of a cup of water in my hammock. There are no noticeable holes or anything but I did notice the tarp isn't seam sealed. I know a flat feld seam supposedly doesn't need to be seam sealed, but what is everyone else's experience ... did you need to seam seal the ridgeline seam on your hennessey hex tarp? Nice tarp .. no big problem for me to seal it but I don't want to bother with it if I don't need to because as you know its a bit of a pain.

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-11-2013, 19:35

If you weren't in it, how do you know it wasn't blowing rain? I'd get more info before proceeding.

**hobbang819** · 06-11-2013, 19:35

No issue with mine, but it should be sealed with tape from the factory.

**Jayson** · 06-11-2013, 19:42

Ya both of ours came seam sealed from hennesy.

**litetrek** · 06-11-2013, 19:47

I put it up in the back yard, slept in it one night and then waited for the rain to stop so I wouldn't have to hang it in the basement to dry. Since I live here and watched the rain come down I know it wasn't blowing. I rained straight down like 3 inches per hour but it wasn't blowing. When I took the tarp down there was a dry area just slightly smaller than the area covered by the tarp.

**PappyAmos** · 06-11-2013, 20:09

Mine (70D Hex) was not sealed when I received it. I sealed it before using it. I have been through a couple of downpours with it and no leaks.

I say seal the ridge seam just to be sure. You probably know this but - there are two different sealers for the 70D PU and the 30D silnylon tarps.

**ToHa** · 06-11-2013, 20:11

I was hanging with mine last weekend in the monsoons here in VA. Mine stayed dry. Never looked to see if it is seam sealed though.....guess I'll have to look now.

**litetrek** · 06-11-2013, 21:10

I've been a backpacker for over 30 years and I definitely know a sealed seam when I see one and mine isn't sealed. There's no seal tape or no messy painted on sealed goo. I only paid 50 bucks for this brand new tarp so I have no complaints....maybe its a factory second. I'll just go to REI and buy a seam seal stick and do the job...no big deal. Its probably all for the best. The tape cracks and peels in 5 years anyhow. That said plenty of people will tell you a french flat felled seam doesn't need sealing. Wrong-o in my opinion.

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-11-2013, 21:14

I assume you didn't get this from Hennessy for 50 bucks. They charge $79.95 and I'm pretty sure they would be seam-sealed, or at least taped.

Nothing wrong with an aftermarket Hennessy - just sounds like it's "not exactly" a Hennessy Hex.

**litetrek** · 06-11-2013, 21:15

Also ... a quote from Colin Fletcher from one of the posters. He inspired me when I was 15 years old and he still does. He dared to be different and his wisdom was generally right. I've had a pretty light pack because of him over the years even when a lot of my gear was heavy duty and made of canvas.