Zen and the art of hammocking.

[Wayland]

The loops are about 4" apart which seems good enough so far.

I suppose if I wanted to take up an inch or so I could cast an extra loop round the top krab.

 

[Gotte]

To solve the centre of gravity problem, could you not put a knot in one of the ropes that attatches to the tree (halfway, maybe), and either hang your backpack from it, or attach another rope and then tie it lower down the tree to not only pull one side of the hammock down, but alter the centre of gravity within it when you lay in it. Of course, you'd need a branch low on the tree to hold the lower rope.
I'm no expert with this kind of thing, but in my mind, I can see how it would work.

 

[Wayland]

Hmm... That's an interesting idea.

The problem is that you naturally slide down to the lowest point so I suspect that would just move you towards one end of the hammock.

I'll have an experiment next time I'm out.

I forgot to mention one important modification that has definitely improved my comfort and that is the use of a pillow which you can just see under the coloured hat in the last picture.

Mine is foam and came with a sleeping bag I bought, but one of those inflatable jobbies would serve the same purpose I would think.

 

[Gotte]

I can see how a pillow would work, unless you simply slip off it when moving around - I tend to move around a lot.
I've never slept in a hammock, so I'm only theorising here. I'm looking at maybe getting one, though, which is where my interest comes from on the subject.
Thinking about it further, I'm wondering if just shortening one of the end ropes would do it rather than hanging a pack or having a second rope. If the shorter rope was tied lower it might throw the centre of gravity - the place the hammock would sag most, further up towards the head end - supposing you slept with feet at the short end and head towards the long end. In my mind, I see it creating a better sleeping position. Of course, that's only in my mind.
I have actually got a hammock, though just a cheap net one. Unfortunately, I have no trees in my garden, so can;t try it out. I might go down the woods, just to see, though. It'd be an interesting experiment.

 

[Wayland]

You don't tend to slide around as much in a string hammock but they tend to wrap tighter around you which can leave you feeling like a trussed chicken.

I used to use one many years ago but now prefer the para silk ones even if they are more slippery.

 

[Highbinder]

Have you tried adjusting your ridgeline for more sag so you can lay further on the diagonal? A more diagonal lay = flatter lay.

/e: Infact, if the above pics are your setup then you don't have one do you? I suggest picking one of these

I have one on my hammock and it has made it SO much mor comfortable.

I'm guessing you're not a gram weenie from looking at your setup but I remember reading static cord is not the best to use for hanging, so if you were to pick up a adjustable ridgeline you could get a couple of lengths of amsteel

 

[Wayland]

The static I'm using is Dyneema so no worries there. I do have a ridge line but it is fixed to the length I prefer.

I've tried the diagonal idea before but couldn't get on with it for some reason.

 

[Highbinder]

I do have a ridge line but it is fixed to the length I prefer.

I've tried the diagonal idea before but couldn't get on with it for some reason.

Well sounds like those two sentences don't marry up, Wayland Could be the length of ridgeline is good for your current lay but for diagonal it's not. Out of curiousity whats the length of the ridgeline as a percentage of the length of the hammock?

 

[Wayland]

Sorry, I've got no idea without getting it all out again.

I tried someone else's rig because they were raving about going diagonal but I just couldn't get comfortable in it.