Rusty, Welcome to the forum. Remember, you don’t have to buy “new”. There are a lot of good deals in the ForSale sub-forum. As for line, I don’t like to fuss with it and I am strong enough to deal with the weight difference between 2.2mm and 2.5mm, or even 3mm. The thicker (up to a point) the easier it is to deal with.
There are “all knot” schools of thought and “no knot” schools and in-between. So people use hardware, like Nite-ese Figure-9’s or more expensive titanium “bling” from Dutchware. Nama Claws instead of prusik knots on tarp ridge lines, etc.
It’s all preference and though reading about it gives you depth of knowledge, it doesn’t give you experience. For example, you’ll read about the glory of Whoopie Slings - it’s an adjustable length loop made from Amsteel (strong woven cord). But until you used them it’s difficult to predict if they are your cup of tea (or coffee - see differences; not good or bad).
Note that the “weak link” mentioned above is usually not the cord. There are many sources for inexpensive split rings. The idea is you’d put a split ring on the end of your tarp or some guy lines and if the wind is really strong and your tarp is taking the brunt of it, the split ring is weak enough that it will start to bend and open. It idea is that something in the suspension is weaker than the fabric (but not too weak) so that it will break/distort before the fabric rips.
The setup you mentioned sounds really good for 3 seasons. If you get a UQP (under quilt protector - like from 2QZQ) it will add a little more warmed at the cold end and on really warm days or day hikes (with napping on the agenda) it may provide enough wind protection (you loose heat from wind blowing under the hammock) that you may not need an underquilt or could get by with light ReflexIt material between the hammock and the UQP.
You may read about snake skins for your tarp. Just like the “weak link” and UQP, some like them; some don’t see the need. You may not see the need until you try to set your tarp up in strong wind. So again - there’s broad “knowledge” and there is experience.
The way to get experience is to get out there and so you can make as many mistakes as your can and learn from every one of them. I know things from reading; I learn things from making mistakes. Maybe I’ll make that my signature line
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