Replacing Whoopie Slings on a Dream Hammock

9 responses to “Replacing Whoopie Slings on a Dream Hammock”

1. 

   Izraelius

   April 9, 2015

   Perfect! Just what I needed to make sure I don’t mess mine up. 😉

   Reply
2. 

   Susan

   April 9, 2015

   What kind of knot is tied in the black rope continuous loop?

   Reply
   1. 

      Derek

      April 9, 2015

      That’s just an overhand knot—nothing special 🙂 The Double Fishermans Knot is preferred, but the simple overhand works.

      Reply
3. 

   Jared

   April 10, 2015

   What’s the shot cord for?

   Reply
   1. 

      Derek

      April 10, 2015

      On this hammock there are shock cord loops installed on both ends of the hammock. These are used as gear clips. There are a few brands that do this, but not all use shock cord. It’s a handy location to clip a stuff sack to create a “peak bag” storage; clip a pair of shoes; attach a pillow, etc.

      Reply
4. 

   Marcus

   April 15, 2015

   have you compared the different suspensions some where? Is the continuous loop better than the whoopie sling?

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   1. 

      Derek

      April 15, 2015

      I have a post scheduled next week that compares some lightweight suspension options. Stay tuned. As for comparing a whoopie sling to a continuous loop, no. They really aren’t mutually exclusive. You could use both. There are just too many combinations to make it a useful comparison. I do have a post about ways to use a continuous loop that might interest you.

      Reply
5. 

   Don Hobbs

   June 26, 2015

   Derek, do you prefer to attach the continuous loops so that there are more options for potential length of hangs? I.e. short distances between suspension tie-off points (trees, posts etc.)? Would you then reattach the whoopie sling to the continuous loops if the distances between tie-off points was longer? I’m asking because I’m not exactly sure how to tighten or loosen the suspension lines unless you have cinch buckles or whoopie slings. I guess I could measure correctly and use a marlon-spike-hitch on the webbing but I don’t have a ton of experience and I’m sure I’d get the distances close but not perfect. I can see myself having to untie the hitch over and over until I got it to the correct angle and distance.

   Thanks for all the information you’ve provided it’s really been incredibly useful. The book gave me more information than I even knew to look up. I just wanted to say thanks.

   Reply
   1. 

      Derek

      June 28, 2015

      Placing continuous loops at the end of a hammock have lots of advantages:

      • You can use multiple connection options
      • You can connect closer for a short hang (anchor points closer together)
      • Your connection point can be covered by your tarp, creating a natural drip-line point

      I’ve done what you describe, connecting a whoopie sling to the continuous loop. I illustrate this in my book where you can slide the whoopie sling out of the way if the hang is too close to use the slings.

      One of my favorite ways to hang a hammock is to use a long strap, as you might with a cinch buckle set up, but lose the hardware and just tie a slippery Becket Hitch on the continuous loop instead. This is the traditional way folks hang hammocks in South America and it works great (with the right combination of line–Amsteel is difficult to use with the knot unless used as the continuous loop). Not only is it lighter than any hardware setup, it provides a way to tie closer to the anchor point and is easier to untie when loaded than with other knot or lashing options. The Marlinspike Hitch, for example, is a little more difficult to tie close to an anchor point in comparison.

      Send me an email if you have further questions and I can help you navigate some of this stuff!

      Reply