[Former Member]

I love my Hennessy Ultra-lite Asym hammock in summer for a much more comfortable sleep than being on the ground. I use an insulating pad, but even with that it’s a bit too cold for comfort for me under 12 degrees C. Only one person can fit in the hammock, which is another drawback if you want to snuggle up with a partner.

[Former Member]

1. What is the difference between True North, Grid North and Magnetic North?

• True North is the direction of the local meridian, to Earth’s North Pole.
• Grid North is the direction of the up-and-down grid lines on a topographic map, and is only a few minutes or seconds off True North. (On marine charts, Grid and True North are the same.)
• Magnetic North is the direction of the local magnetic meridian, or magnetic force field, to Earth’s Magnetic Pole, and can be off True North by many degrees.

2. How do you differentiate between Declination, Variation and Deviation?

• Declination and Variation both refer to the difference between True North and Magnetic North at any location. “Declination” is used on topographic maps and “Variation” is used on marine charts.
• Deviation refers to the error introduced to a compass needle if/when it detects metal or other magnetic items on the boat that cause it to deviate away from its natural magnetic meridian.

3. List the differences between a marine compass and an orienteering compass.

• Marine compass (MC) is fixed to the boat and aligned with its centre-line.
  Orienteering compass (OC) is hand-held.
• MC floats horizontally inside a sphere, allowing it to be read during pitching and tilting of the boat.
  OC must be held horizontally for the needle to move freely.
• MC is designed such that the cursor always indicates the current magnetic direction of the boat.
  OC will give the current magnetic direction of its base plate only if the dial has been carefully and separately turned to align with the compass needle.
• MC cannot be used to make map or chart measurements.
  OC can be placed on a map or chart and can measure angles between any two lines.

4. Explain how each of the following is different:  Bearing;  Heading;  Course

• Bearing is the direction (i.e., clockwise angle from North) to a particular target.
  Bearing depends on the relative positions of boat and target and independent of  their individual orientations.
• Heading is the present direction (angle from North) of a boat at any given instant.
  Heading depends on where the boat is pointing and is independent of boat position.
• Course is the direction of the boat’s path of travel, planned or actual.
  Course depends on successive boat positions.
• Course and Heading will differ when the lateral forces of wind, waves or current cause the boat to move in a direction (Course) away from where it is pointing (Heading).

5. For the west coast of BC what is currently the typical number of degrees of declination (and to which direction) from True North?

• Declination (or variation) in Vancouver is about 15.5 degrees east of True North (in 2020).
• In Tofino it is about 16 degrees east.
• In Telegraph Cove it is about 16.5 degrees east.
• As Declination changes noticeably year by year, check it via https://www.geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/calc/mdcal-en.php

[Former Member]

Make sure your unit FLOATS. There are waterproof units that don’t float.

[Former Member]

Thanks for the informative reply, Daniel. I learned a few things. And yes, I already have an InReach GPS but was thinking redundancy may not be a bad thing, but your point of the poorer effectiveness of DSC is good to know and I’ll reflect on that.

And thanks for your particular model recommendation; I agree that the ability to charge via USB would be a real plus as I usually take a small GoalZero Lithium battery pack + small solar panel to keep my phone/headlamp/InReach charged, so would be great to charge the radio similarly. Regarding your last point: Use of AA batteries reduces the effectiveness (range/quality of signal) of the unit. Am I understanding your right there? Also great info. Thanks again!

[Former Member]

Good luck on your course 😀 . I choose not to go with the GPS functions ( i presume your talking about DSC) cause  already have one + compare to boat it’s efficiency on radio is more limited.  Most larger boat have a 25 W radio with taller and less compromised antenna. Making it better to propagate. As kayaker because we are closer to the water and only use 5w radio your  DSC wouldn’t propagate as well. Like they say “jack of all trade master of none” 😀. My recommendation would be to buy a cheaper VHF + add a device like ZOLEO,mini garnin or SPOT. Those are true GPS, make sure your signal is send. My choice of  radio was : https://www.amazon.ca/Standard-Horizon-HX300-Handheld-Marine/dp/B00AJVXA5W. It’s been working well, it has nice scanning functions, dual watch. But the big seller for me is it’s ability to  be charge by USB. Most kayak group have  a charger somewhere and i even leave a cheap bank in my ditch bag in case i would need to recharge in an emergency. Also radio that use AA “ as emergency “ back up have a tendency to propagate less W when you use it with. Less W less far your signal, less bot can hear you 😀

[Former Member]

Hi,

New to the group. Hi all. Finally getting around to getting a handheld VHF radio (doing the course this month, too), and was looking for recommendations. I did search this forum, and the last post on this matter (here) was from 2016 so thought I’d seek updated feedback. I can see value in the newer GPS features, so would wish a unit with that functionality + ability to load it with AA or AAA batteries for longer trips. Thanks all.

 

[Former Member]

Just my .02

I originally purchased one of the original Hennesy hammock with Velcro entrance on the bottom.
Unfortunately I took it on one of the longest trips I ever went on for 2 weeks. And quickly discovered many of the down sides of the design. Over all it was that I froze my butt off almost every night. For myself I found that it was more designed for a warmer climate that did not require a lot of extra quilts or pads. And I sold it and now I have a lightweight hammock for summer lounging.

some of the issues:
-required better attachment to trees, upgraded aftermarket buckles or clips
-requires completely independent fly ridge line
-larger fly with protection from wind
-side zippers that eventually happened
-place for gear and boots

For me the fly was a large issue and I discovered from forums and YouTube videos. The issue was rope sag on the main hammock line which the fly attached. Which independent attaching to a separate ridge line kept it tight. And stop flapping and better protection from wind. These days a lot more aftermarket options are available in regards hammock pads, under quilts, over quilts. Multiple companies offer hammock specific tarps that solve a lot of options.

The best I can suggest is to hit YouTube shugemery is channel name. He has done a lot of newbie hammock videos and FAQ. As well multiple different designs hang types etc. Highly recommended.
With that info in hand you can determine the extra gear required on top of the hammock purchase. And make your decision if the cost is worth you giving it a go.
If you have any further questions drop me a email

 

[Mick Allen]

I don’t particularly like or use them, but many times I have seen beginner to medium experienced kayakers drop their paddles upon exiting.

If at sea and alone, in those typical situations, a leash would be a backup and keep other options open. And there’s nothing like backups and options.

There are other situations like being in a narrow kayak while drinking/eating/photographing/dayhatching/bailing that a leash might be a temporary solution for paddle control. And of course, paddlers with ability/handicap issues might be well served by various types of leash solutions for the particular issue. On this particular instance, I could well see the utility of a pfd belt leash for an on water arm injury.

And in re-reading the above, I guess these situation would have to include a greenland paddle as well – although it does seem to be a stretch in some circumstances . . . but if the option was paddle loss? For a beginner, alone and in conditions?

[Mick Allen]

I would concur with the previous comments [use both], but found with practice that an inside thermorest was viable over time altho not perfectly stable – I do have to adjust. I have also used excess clothing/coats and traded thermorest with wetsuit to reasonably good effect. Extra tarps for ground/privacy/wind/and extra driven rain protection are very useful,  gear ‘storage’ is under the hammock – but not great.

I have an old hennessy camo safari [it’s quite large] . . .. and there is just nothing like waking up in the morning to an expansive view out the hammock while hanging over terrain that a tent would never be able to be used over.  It’s an adventure walking thru the forest and having all sorts of different and undeveloped locations that can now be used rather than requiring flattish smoothish ground.  I was sold on this aspect the first time I used it on a slope near the top of a small cliff – I can still remember the scene out the expansive netting, waking up in the morning after setting up in the dark. Glorious.

 

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi everyone,

During this time of Covid and the difficulties it poses with us getting together I thought it might be fun to throw some questions out that might just need some research to find the correct answer(s), be thought provoking (ie. no real answers – just personal preference), or requires some calculations to come up with the correct answer(s).  Looking to throw a quiz out once a week until the end of April.  If this is not appropriate to do on the Forum let me know.  Participate if you like.  Share answers as you like.  Have fun with it.  Maybe gain a bit more knowledge?

Quiz 1 – Topic of Navigation (seeing as we are all trying to find our right direction during this time!)

1. What is the difference between True North, Grid North and Magnetic North?

2. How do you differentiate between Declination, Variation and Deviation?

3. List the differences between a marine compass and an orienteering compass.

4. Explain how each of the following is different:  Bearing;  Heading;  Course

5. For the west coast of BC what is currently the typical number of degrees of declination (and to which direction) from True North?

[Nick Heath]

I have a good bought hammock – Hennessy Expedition – has a fly and bug net plus super-easy entry –  and I use it occasionally. It is easy to use and comfortable.  Advantages: 1) greatly increases possible camp locations on BC coast with our abundant trees 2) slightly  smaller package than a 1-2 person tent after adding in the tree straps and rigging.

Disadvantages: 1) needs an insulation pad underneath or you will be cold – a thermarest inside won’t work because it just rides up on top of you unless you can somehow tie it down 2) no place to put much gear – mine has small pockets along the ridge for a watch, phone, headlamp/flashlight etc but most of your stuff has to sit outside or in a separate pack, even your water bottle – anything else inside will migrate to beneath your butt. 3) in pouring rain it is harder than my tent to enter without getting anything wet inside – but this is comparing the hammock with a tent that has a large vestibule – sort of unfair. 4) limited to one occupant.

I know 2 women who paddled a couple of years ago from Salt Spring I to Glacier Bay AK. They used hammocks almost exclusively and this made their expedition much more practical – very little brushing, site levelling or clearing etc is needed each night, just a couple of well-spaced trees.

I’m surprised that they are not more popular, but they do take some getting used to.

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi Mark.

I use a hammock more as a back up / bivvy alternative to my regular 2 person Hubba Hubba.  The hammock I use is the Hennesy Hammock.  It is very good for quality, durability, simplicity and compactness.  Main considerations I have found with using them are: is there somewhere to hang them (normally, yes, but when in the trees there are a few more bugs and less sunlight); dry storage & privacy (good idea to bring along another tarp or 2); and you can still use a blow up mattress to lie you sleeping bag on for insulation and some positional rigidity.

[Mike Gilbert]

Personally I disagree with the use of a paddle leash – greenland or Euro.

Possibly folks who like them might explain to me why they like them.  Curious.

[Susan Jensen]

Hi, yes our family uses them. Made from thin nylon. Important to have an underblanket (attached on the outside of the hammock) even in summer. The sleeping bag gets so compressed that it doesn’t keep you warm. A bug net is good too. I personally would rather be in a tent but my husband and sons like using hammocks — gives you more options for where to set up camp.

[Mark Stoakes]

Wondering if anyone has had experience using camping hammocks and if they have what type and any comments. Thanks

[Author]

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