Becket Hitch in the rain; Use a drip line?

[HandyRandy]

Do you guys do anything special to prevent rain trailing down your suspension when using a becket hitch?

I had it happen to me recently and I’m wondering if it was operator error, bad luck or if a drip line is typically used. My MountainFly tarp with doors deployed was definitely covering it well and it wasn’t windy. I was using some Warbonnet dyneema straps and an Eldorado hammock.

[rweb82]

I've always used a separate drip line girth-hitched to my hammock CL's; but I've heard folks say that tying an additional slippery half hitch further down the CLs- using the free-end of the webbing works as well. I was thinking of giving that a shot myself.

[<-Pointer]

Yes. Absolutely needed in heavy rain or else you'll have your own little rivers of water flowing into your hammock. Cotton shoe lace drip lines seem to work best for me.

[alt.thomas]

Like rweb said, I add another slippery half-hitch. But I also have Dutch whoopie hooks that doubles as my last line of defense.

[HandyRandy]

Like rweb said, I add another slippery half-hitch. But I also have Dutch whoopie hooks that doubles as my last line of defense.

How are you using the whoopie hooks?

[alt.thomas]

How are you using the whoopie hooks?

Yeah... I put the hooks through the continuous loop on my hammock ends ... but my brain got mixed up thinking how I use them on my whoopie and cinch buckle systems instead.

I’m not sure if it works with the becket hitch?.?.?.

[Vanhalo]

I have not had an issue yet with the Becket Hitch and the older Myerstech Dyneema straps.

However I have only been in heavy rain once.

Something to think about now.

[alt.thomas]

Yeah... I put the hooks through the continuous loop on my hammock ends ... but my brain got mixed up thinking how I use them on my whoopie and cinch buckle systems instead.

I’m not sure if it works with the becket hitch?.?.?.

Ok.. finally had time to perform an experiment.

https://imgur.com/a/OGPhtQW

1. Dutch hook (faced down) on whoopie.. I also used light cordage as a drip line.
Result: mixed. The water slowly did make its way to the continuous loop. But the setup would pose no problems in light/medium rain.


2. Becket hitch with a half hitch.
Result: overwhelmingly positive. The half hitch caught all the water and channeled it away from the Becket hitch. After over a minute, the becket hitch remained dry and there was no sign of water jumping onto the continuous loop.


As an added bonus: Placing the Dutch hook on the continuous loop and in front of the hitch allows for easier untying (especially if you have some spare cordage to insert on those days the Becket hitch is bound tight).