Canopy Set Up

Align asymmetrical fly to match hammock shape. Clip the plastic "0" rings at each end of the canopy to the stronger plastic hooks of the sliding knot tensioner tied to the main support ropes, being sure to leave this adjustment untensioned until last. Next, clip the lighter plastic hook attached to each end of the canopy onto the main support rope. Center canopy width-wise by attaching side adjustment cords equally tight to nearby tree branches or ground anchors at whatever angle seems right for the conditions. Lastly, push each sliding knot tensioner along the main support ropes until the canopy is centered lengthwise and fairly tight. In wet, windy conditions, attach a weight or elastic to side corners of fly to maintain tension.

Automatic Fly Tensioner and Water Collection System

The next evolution of this idea is to clip a funnel onto the two side "O" rings of the rainfly. The narrow end of each funnel is threaded to screw onto a hydration water bag or any size of pop bottle. As the rain water drips off the low corners of the rainfly into the bottle, the weight of the water in the bottle lowers the fly automatically for storm conditions, maintaining tension on the fly and giving you several liters of fresh drinking water ready to go in the morning. Just another way to make your Hennessy Hammock more useful.

Tips for getting the fly tension right

One is to tie the fly separately to each tree first so you can set up the hammock in rainy conditions without getting the hammock wet. This means that when the weight goes on the hammock it does not lower the rainfly and consequently slack the fly tension. Another new tip is to tie the cord at one end of the fly, take it around the tree back through the same ring all the way across the underside of the fly through the ring at that end of the fly all the way around the tree and back to the ring at that end. This cord does two things - it keeps the fly taut, removes wrinkles in the top of the fly and helps to prevent any water collection in the wrinkles of the fly.

Another really good tip is to tie the side tie outs for the rainfly as far as out as possible, either to the ground or to bushes or branches and hang a weight right at each side corner of the rainfly.

When the fly gets wet and stretches, instead of getting loose and saggy, the weight will automatically lower the fly for storm conditions and maintain the same rainfly tension as when it was dry.