The Truth About Hennessy

“You?re going to get wet in an un-modded hennessy. I recently bought the original model, splitting the cost with a friend. Thanks to a few springtime thunderstorms, I got to test out its weatherproof-ness in the back yard. I got wet. The rainfly does NOT provide enough coverage. In a heavy downpour and a strong, gusty wind, water got up under the fly and into the tent. And, LIKE I PREDICTED, water wicked down the ropes and soaked the head and foot of the tent. You might as well throw away that p.o.s. stock rainfly and instead bring along a tarp that gives you more coverage. Also, something has to be done about the wicking. We?re, of course, going to convert ours to an ascender system which should redirect the water quite nicely. But, what?s up with the ?boot? at the end of the tent where the tent meets the rope? Why make the junction the tent/rope inaccessible? Dumb design, because now I?m going to have to remove that to convert it. The webbing that you?re supposed to wrap around the tree is laughable. I?ve never seen a tree hurt by rope using the standard ?roman sandal? method of wrapping the rope around it, and it?s a lot more secure feeling than the webbing. Bye-bye to the webbing. I don?t like the velcro closure on the entrance, either. It leaves a gap that you can?t close. I also put my foot through it a couple of times. So while it may just be something one has to get used to, I?m going to try to replace it with a heavy duty zipper anyway. Oh yeah, it doesn't have enough storage space, but I guess it makes it lighter without it. It needs a daisy chain of loops underneath the floor so you can clip stuff to it. Maybe that can be a modification I could make. Other than these complaints, it seems like a very comfortable, well made hammock tent ? worth the money.

How do you hennessy gurus respond to my analysis of the tent?”

“Isn't hennessy a ghetto drink?”

“I thought it was a hair dye. You sound very handy, Mutt, one of those GUYS. Can you build a shopping mall with a screwdriver and a piece of rope?”

“who the hell are you?”

“My analysis is that you devote too much energy to Hennessy Hatred. Give peace a chance.”

“I said I liked it and it was worth the money, but it has some design flaws. Sheesh, I'm not sorry we bought it.”

“I've used my junglehammock for years and have modified it to suit my needs. It, too, had design flaws, and I could list those if you're interested, but that doesn't mean I hate it. On the contrary, I think it's great.

No one has invented the perfect hammock tent yet, imo.”

“I'm going to get one. Sorry for the flip remark. There has been lively discussion about hammocks on these pages.”

“Actually I have been wondering about some of the very points Mutt brought up. I have only seen the set up once and wondered about the fly keeping out rain and the webbing wicking in water. Thanks for the gear reveiw Mutt.”

“I sold mine!”

“Ken: post your opinion of it when you get it.

Pamster: With the proper modifications, I think the hennessy would be a fine foul-weather performer. At least my junglehammock is since I improved on it.

Switchback: Because it didn't keep the elements out? Uncomfortable? Why?”

“Anyone have a link, so I know what the !$%& you are talking about, you Son of a bitches!”

“too lazy for html, so cut and paste: http://www.hennessyhammock.com/”

“...not too lazy for html...

Hennessy Hammock”

“didn't fit my style. Hard to adjust yourself once inside. Taking a nap in a hammock is heaven, trying to sleep in one all night is hell, IMHO.”

“I thought it was cognac”

“Thanks for the info -- I've been wondering about those thinga-ma-gigs for a while now... was wondering how it would hold up on a big wall, instead of hauling around my 17 lb. double portaledge. Maybe use a bivy sack inside the hammock as well, when dealing with big rains? Seems ideal for this Venezuela trip, as I could use it on the approach throug the jungle as well as on the big wall. Thanks again.”

“ThunderTrain, perhaps the Hennessy wouldn't be the best hammock for big wall climbing, because it's a 4-point-suspension hammock. If you don't tie down the two sides, the hammock envelopes you like a big taco. You might consider clark's junglehammock. That's what I've successfully modified and used for something like 5 or more years. It's a 2-point-suspension hammock. I wonder, though, if you might lose a good deal of comfort in a hammock tent with the ends bolted to a rock wall. At least a portaledge has a frame to keep the platform away from the wall. If I was you, I'd try sleeping in one tied to the side of your house first, to see if it's doable. You can always return the thing if you're dissatisfied.”

“I still haven't gotten wet in mine, but I take a lot of precautions like bringing the fly almost flush to the hammock bottom in bad weather or when foul weather threatens. I have thought about getting a slightly larger fly or making by own for some more ground coverage. A 11x11 sil nylon tarp would be a good size.

For the wicking problem, still havent seen that happen, the water drops off at the connection rope for the tarp to the suspension rope. If it were to happen (never say never) I would do like I have done on lots of tarps, take a pice of string from the guts of 550 cord and make a wick above the tarp knot.

Webbing straps, the more I use them, the more I hate them. I just use the multiple back and forth wraps which spread the hammock weight over multiple points and do just as well as any strap.

About your snap link system, I was thinking of maybe getting some mini carbiners, they wouldn't need a high tensile strength like a full sized snap link (2,000 lbs) probably a 300 pound limit would be enough. If you set up your system, I would like to see pictures if you could make some.

Velcro zipper on mine is full length and hasn't ever been a problem.

But I like modifying gear anyway.

As for a cool sleeping platform, have you ever looked a a SKED? It wraps up in a fairly small space but can support up to 400 pounds. I don't know the weight, but I could try to find out.”

“i bought switchbacks hammock....
i have not experienced rain yet...but i agree, the fly is rather scant and i wondered if it would do in a blowing rain....
otherwise....i love the thing...i added velcro closure the entire length of opening and have not fallen out or poked thru...i actually have the thing set up in my backyard and sleep in it a LOT!... no trouble rolling over and for me.....it is sleeping on a cloud.. and i like to swing a little too....i use the stuff bag as gear loft hung at thehead end (if you put a light in the bag and hang it...it makes a great lamp! ) and hang glasses and a little light above on rope.
oh yeah...the first time i tried it, i just needed to spend the night at a trailhead before hitting the trail the next morning., so, i did not unpack my sleeping bag, etc....i used my car blanket to sleep on and covered up with a fleece blanket...it was very cold from the bottom! But when used with sleeping bag and sleeping pad...toasty!
i plan on getting a larger tarp set up for rainy/story days.
i am just a hammock person.....i dont do much in a tent other than sleep mostly....if it is raining...i read ...or sleep
It is PERFECT for kayak camping.in forida (or anywhere in swampy, sandy, buggy, humid places..)..that is specifically why i bought it.....i love it”

“Hey there OM!”

“Thanks Buddur, that site is going to start me on my under age drinking astraviganza.

Thanks”

“Buddur--What do you mean starting an astraviganza!!!”

“Thanks for the review Mutt, i was thinking of getting one for my birthday and everything you had problems with is what i figured that i would have problems with. Most of the reviews i've read on the hammock was pretty sugar coated. I think that i read you could buy a bigger canopy for the hammock, from the factory. What i'm wondering is, i guess the only place to store gear is under the hammock when you sleep? Do you really sleep good all night( or at least like you would in a tent)? I guess you put your boots under the tent(and hope nothing chews on them during the night). It can't be easy to change or sponge off in the winter in a hammock. I need some more convencing.”

“I hate to say I told you so....”

“hey back at you switchback.:) ....I could say "how's it hangin'?"...but you arent hanging now.....cause I have your hammock!! heh....
it like the cliche.....one person's trash is another person's treasure..........”

“When the still sea conspires an armor
And her sullen and aborted
Currents breed tiny monsters
True sailing is dead
Awkward instant
And the first animal is jettisoned
Legs furiously pumping
Their stiff green gallop
And heads bob up
Poise
Delicate
Pause
Consent
In mute nostril agony
Carefully refined
And sealed over”

“there is a better hammock tent out there. I cant remember the name of it though. I just saw it at trail daze in Damascus. the thing has 2 poles that attach and so therefor can be set up on the ground or hang from a tree.I liked it much better. I will let you know if I come up with a name for it.”

“MOM, your probably talking about the Lawson Hammock, it uses two poles to lift the canopy, so you can make it into more of a bivy tent.

There are some user reviews over on e-groups BackpackGerTest

I don't like it because for such a small set up it weighs about 5 pounds.”

“that is the thing....5 lbs or 2.25 lbs.....hmmm.. 5lbs is more than my regular tent....weight was a biggie for me in deciding”

“trlhikr, I haven't used it on the trail yet. In my backyard I put my shoes in a garbage bag and left 'em on the ground. In my junglehammock, there's pockets underneath the floor, and I sewed on a daisy chain of loops (under the floor between the two rows of pockets) which I biner my pack and climbing gear to. I'd really like to hear what you Hennessy gurus do to store your boots & gear. One thing I really like about the hennessy is the hanging bag and clip inside, but of course this isn't big enough for boots.

I think the hennessy can be made waterproof by using a bigger tarp and by installing a metal ring just past the ends of the tent (to prevent the wicking). Of course you'd have to remove that fabric "boot" that hides the junction of the tent and rope. I'm going to convert mine to an ascender system anyway, which will also stop the wicking, as well as make adjusting it easier.”

“I hang my boots (mostly running shoes these days) at the foot end of my hammock on the insde line. They then hang down by the boot strings outside the velcro directly under the hammock and the tarp.

My food bag already hangs on a bear/squirl line.

My backpack is usually either on the ground directly under my hammock, or is straped to a tree using the sternum and hip belt with the pack cover on.

I can usually set up or break down my entire camp in about 10 minutes.”

“I have found all my gear fits nicely inside the hammock with me. Of course I don't carry much. Shoes hang over the ridge line. Food canister, stove and fuel sitting out under a tree some where.

I'll live with a little moisture, I have never been able to sleep all night on the ground. With the Hennessy I actaully feel rested the next day.

I would also like to see some pics of any improvement you make.”

“mutt.... what is an ascender system and how does it improve adjustments .......details? :)

also....i am short, I am not so sure this hennessey would be as comfortable to taller people with more body volume...:)...do they come in sizes I wonder?”

“mutt.... what is an ascender system and how does it improve adjustments .......details? :)

also....i am short, I am not so sure this hennessey would be as comfortable to taller people with more body volume...:)...do they come in sizes I wonder?”

“I'm 6'4" and find it very comfortable.”

“sorry...heh....
regarding gear storage....
i wear sandals around camp, so i just slip in and out of them as i slip in and out of the hammock........I hang my pack either on a tree (sgtrock style) or suspend in a mesh pocket hammock with my boots and cover that with my rain poncho.
I hang food in a tree....
and hang the stow bag inside with book, tissue, knife, small water bottle, gloves...you know...stuff....”

“that settles the tall person issue...:)”

“I'm with Larock on the sleep issue. If I ever bought a piece of gear based on lots of people saying it was great then being dissapointed, it was my thermarest. Still trying to sell it.”

“What size thermarest? You might have a buyer....”

“Thanks for the gear tips.

I, too, find sleeping in a hammock much more comfortable and restful than the ground. Obviously, not everyone feels the same. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way of finding out whether you like it or not unless you can borrow the model you're considering buying.

I-Am_Om: With my junglehammock, I attached the cam of an ascender to each end of the tent (I used Gibbs). I then have two separate lengths of rope that I tie to the trees, and then feed through the ascenders. You can raise and lower/tighten and loosen the tent without adjusting knots. Also, rain wicking down the rope goes through the ascender to the ground and not into the tent. However, adjustment doesn't seem to be as big an issue with a Hennessy as it is with a junglehammock, but the wicking problem still needs to be taken care of, so you could attach a metal ring near the end of the tent to prevent wicking. Or something, i don't know.

I don't have a digital camera or even a scanner, so I can't post pics anytime soon. I'll try to get around to getting something on the INternet this summer.”

“My thermarest is a Litefoam Long, OD green in color military version, 26oz in weight with unused repair kit. Bought it at the Military Clothing Sales. Used on two outings. Paid $65, will sell for $50. I'll pay for shipping.”

“Oh the memories of how lucky I was to have a Themarest to through on the hood of my hmmwv while everyone else suffered with the GI Sleeping Pad. Life was good, but it got better with an ETS and a Hennessy.”

“I've got the Hennessey, but retirement isn't until 2005.”

“Slight change of subject here--do any of you know where I can buy one of those little 8 oz hammocks. They used to sell them everywhere but I searched for a friend yesterday and came up with nada.”

“I have just returned from a trip using my trusty Hennessey. The only items I bring into the hammock are my knife, lighter, watch and headlamp. The headlamp gets threaded through itself on the ridge line and the items in a small bag, also suspended from the ridge line. I have always used a larger tarp since I live on BC's West Coast. My pack is on the ground covered with a rain cover even though it is well protected by the tarp. My emergency radiant solar blanket/tarp is placed underneath the enterence to the hammock, here I leave my shoes.

I have no problems entering my sleeping bag or changing my position through the night. As a youth leader I appreciate the fact that I can observe any "night moves" of the youth without getting out of the hammock! The teens try out the hammock for short stretches and quickly appreciate the superior comfort over sleeping on the ground.

I have the original hammock with the cord rather than the webbing. What I have been doing lately is using webbing to go around the tree and attaching the cord to this web strap. Beacause of the larger tarp I have not had water wicking down my cords.”

“hammockhanger..
could you elaborate on your larger tarp? Did you make it yourself , if so, what materials.

maryphyl.....i got my little pocket hammock at good ole wally world...(walmart)...this was about six years ago tho,
I slept in that thing many a time, now i use it for a gear loft or swing/chair around camp...it folds up to the size of a fist...”

“Can't you coat the rope or webbing that is used to attach it to a tree with a water repellant. Like a beeswax, seam sealer or a silicon spray. Or incorporate a synthetic piece or two of rope midway thru your anchor/fly lines. Place a knot or two that has a drip line hanging from the knot, like a downspout on a gutter, in a effort to slow the wicking water and provide possible a "dam" where water would stop and be diverted and drip away before hitting the hammock. Like every 20 inches or so you would have a a knot with a drip line. Hope that came out right, I'm just picturing guy lines that are made of multiple sections of water repellant rope that have been secured to each other with knots that have dangling end. Fringed rope!!”

“Briar, I've never tried the water repellant on the rope thing. Sounds like a good idea worth trying. I have used the "drip lines", to redirect the water. They seem to help in a light to moderate rain, but in a heavy downpour, they are overwhelmed.

Hammock Hanger, let me see if I understand you: you've stayed dry in your hennessy with just a larger tarp? And that took care of wicking? You've stayed dry during the heaviest downpours?”