Problems in the Rain

[humblemonkey]

A follow up to the other rain discussion... (I also love thunderstorms)

We finally set up all of our hammocks yesterday. We had a great time, and by good fortune, it began to rain buckets on us! Really, I was glad that happened.

I was lying in the Clark TX-200 and started to get dripped on immediately. The 4 seams on the rain fly that join at the clip over my head was letting water through... drip, drip, spatter...all over my head! At my feet, I noticed the strap that attaches to the rain fly and pulls the hammock up was saturated and started to drip a little too.

My wife was lying in the HH Exped and got wet. There wasn't any water coming in through the bug net because we set the rain fly up correctly. The water was running down the suspension and seaping into the hammock.

What is the solution to these issues? Does using a water repellent on the rope help? On the Clark, I could see little holes of daylight in the stitching at the seam, maybe I need to beef up on the seam sealant.

Pics coming soon!

[pineapplenewton]

well at least for your wife's problem with water running down the suspension there is a solution its called a drip line and its just a piece of cord running down from the suspension under the tarp the water runns down the drip line instead of into the hammock

[humblemonkey]

Is there a photo anywhere for a drip line? I've searched and can't find it

[Ramblinrev]

Is there a photo anywhere for a drip line? I've searched and can't find it

Get out your drawing board... you're going to need it for this.... On the HH stock ropes.. Tie a cotton shoelace around the rope just under the tarp but not at the hammock. If you have the tarp on the prussic hooks on the stock rope tie it just on the hammock side of the hooks.

[MrGreen]

I'm sure there must be some pics out there but you shouldn't need them. Just tie one end of a three to four inch piece of rope(1/8in) on each end of your suspension rope (between the tree and your hammock), letting it hang down, and this will stop the rain from running and ruining your slumber.

[pineapplenewton]

and also for the seem seepage you may need to seem seal the seems you can get a commercial seam sealer but theres also threads about DIY alternatives (angrysperrow?)

[gargoyle]

Seam sealer will seal the small holes left behind by the needle. Set up your hammock(s) where they can stay for 24-48 hrs. out of the weather. Seam sealer takes a while to cure/dry. Seal everything that was stitched, inside and outside. Any good outdoor store carries seam sealer.

Dripline is just a 8 or 10" piece of string tied to your main suspension line. The water follows gravity and your suspension, the dripline knot just diverts the water from following the rest of your suspension into the hammock. Simple fix there. Leave a few inches of line dangling off suspension. Any knot works, we won't get technical on what kind.

[east_stingray]

Seam sealant is easy to make. Just buy some 100% silicone caulk and mix it with mineral spirits until you get the consistency you want. Then use a small arts & crafts paintbrush to apply it where needed. Wash, rinse, repeat (don't really wash and rinse... just repeat the coating until you're satisfied.)

[Kankujoe]

Seam sealant is easy to make. Just buy some 100% silicone caulk and mix it with mineral spirits until you get the consistency you want. Then use a small arts & crafts paintbrush to apply it where needed. Wash, rinse, repeat (don't really wash and rinse... just repeat the coating until you're satisfied.)

Good to know... thanks for posting this info...

[TinaLouise]

as far as the sealant goes, I also use the clear 100% sylicone caulk (from Lowes) and I've never diluted it. Just squeezed it straight on to my tarps, right at the seams. A little goes a loooooong way. Then used my finger to smash/push the caulk into the seams. If I get to much, I use a paper towel and just wipe it. When I got my Clark, I couldn't tell if the seams were sealed or not, so I sealed them again, but only on the outside. Haven't had any leaks.