A couple of hammock questions

[copper_head]

Hey,
Im in the process of 'pimping' my hammock. After watching through Shugmery's vids on youtube Im left with a couple of questions.

Structural ridgelines;
What am I aiming for here, should they have lots of tension on them?
How much sag am I looking for?
Does it need to be adjustable or can I just used a fixed line of paracord?

The 30 degrees;
I've heard it mentioned here a couple of times but I'm unsure what it applies too?

Thanks guys

 

[_Geraint_]

In my opinion it should be setup to how you like it, I don't think there is a 1 size fits all with hammocks. People are different sizes and shapes, so every setup will be different.
Whats most important is that you get a good nights sleep and you are sleeping in such a way that its not going to hurt your back or cause discomfort.

 

[Gaudette]

Keep trying different set ups when you find the one that you feel is best that will be the right one.

 

[Hog On Ice]

Hey,
Im in the process of 'pimping' my hammock. After watching through Shugmery's vids on youtube Im left with a couple of questions.

Structural ridgelines;
What am I aiming for here, should they have lots of tension on them?
How much sag am I looking for?
Does it need to be adjustable or can I just used a fixed line of paracord?

The 30 degrees;
I've heard it mentioned here a couple of times but I'm unsure what it applies too?

Thanks guys

tension on structural ridge line depends on sag angle from main suspension - sag angle too small = lots of tension on structural ridge line - no tension on structural ridge line = sag angle too large
two approaches for setting length of structural ridge line:
1. setup hammock without the structural ridge line first and keep trying different sag angles until you find a good one for your hammock then measure the length between the ends of the hammock and make a structural ridge line to match
2. setup hammock with an adjustable structural ridge line (ex a long UCR or whoopie sling) and keep trying different lengths until you find one that works well - measure and then optionally make a fixed length structural ridge line to match

personally I would avoid using paracord for the structural ridge line because it stretches too much - recommend using a low stretch line such as a dyneema line (Lash It, Zing It, DynaGlide etc.)

30 degrees - this is a general starting point for the sag angle and often results in a good sag angle for use with the hammock - the sag angle is the angle down from horizontal of the primary support lines to the hammock

 

[TROOPER]

Crazy suggestion copper head but have you got hold of a copy of 'The Perfect Hang'? a hammockers basic guide really and will explain all you need to know and your questions regarding ridgelines, the 30 degree question etc. Available on both Amazon and through UK Hammocks good luck bud.
Theres a guy on flea bay that does ready made adjustable Amsteel structural ridgelines at a good price too if that helps.

 

[Shewie]

Have a look around Derek Hansens' site too CH, there's some nice illustrations dotted about his blog ...

http://theultimatehang.com/2012/07/hammock-camping-101/

 

[copper_head]

Thanks for the replies all

In my opinion it should be setup to how you like it, I don't think there is a 1 size fits all with hammocks. People are different sizes and shapes, so every setup will be different.
Whats most important is that you get a good nights sleep and you are sleeping in such a way that its not going to hurt your back or cause discomfort.

I agree, I just want to give his rig a go, see if it works for me

tension on structural ridge line depends on sag angle from main suspension - sag angle too small = lots of tension on structural ridge line - no tension on structural ridge line = sag angle too large
two approaches for setting length of structural ridge line:
1. setup hammock without the structural ridge line first and keep trying different sag angles until you find a good one for your hammock then measure the length between the ends of the hammock and make a structural ridge line to match
2. setup hammock with an adjustable structural ridge line (ex a long UCR or whoopie sling) and keep trying different lengths until you find one that works well - measure and then optionally make a fixed length structural ridge line to match

personally I would avoid using paracord for the structural ridge line because it stretches too much - recommend using a low stretch line such as a dyneema line (Lash It, Zing It, DynaGlide etc.)

30 degrees - this is a general starting point for the sag angle and often results in a good sag angle for use with the hammock - the sag angle is the angle down from horizontal of the primary support lines to the hammock

Thanks Hog, just what I needed to know

Crazy suggestion copper head but have you got hold of a copy of 'The Perfect Hang'? a hammockers basic guide really and will explain all you need to know and your questions regarding ridgelines, the 30 degree question etc. Available on both Amazon and through UK Hammocks good luck bud.
Theres a guy on flea bay that does ready made adjustable Amsteel structural ridgelines at a good price too if that helps.

Looks like a good read, I think I've got most of it covered already it was just the ridgeline bit that I hadn't come across before. Thanks for the tip with the dyneema ridgelines though

Have a look around Derek Hansens' site too CH, there's some nice illustrations dotted about his blog ...

http://theultimatehang.com/2012/07/hammock-camping-101/

Cheers Shewie!

 

[copper_head]

Sorry to keep on with questions about this!

Went for a walk after posting the thread to have a play about and this is how I set it up:

Tree hugger>Marlin spike>Woopie sling>Caribiner>A loop of webbing that draws the hammock end together.

If I'd been camping out I'd put the tarp lower....

Basically Im wondering should I attach my structural ridgeline to caribiner or does it need to attach elsewhere?

Cheers!

 

[Hog On Ice]

attaching it to the 'biner is a reasonable place assuming the loop to the hammock is always there

another reasonable place would be to tie it to the loop that goes to the hammock

obviously there is a difference in the length of the ridge line between the two options but both will work about the same - the one with the 'biner will be slightly higher than the one to the loop

 

[copper_head]

attaching it to the 'biner is a reasonable place assuming the loop to the hammock is always there

another reasonable place would be to tie it to the loop that goes to the hammock

obviously there is a difference in the length of the ridge line between the two options but both will work about the same - the one with the 'biner will be slightly higher than the one to the loop

Thanks again for your advice, right now to buy some amsteel!

 

[copper_head]

Went for one of these of the 'bay in the end. Looking forward to trying out .

 

[The Big Lebowski]

looks like a nice but of kit for the price.

Mines fixed at 100' (8ft 4') which works out perfect for me as I'm quite tall. You might want to keep it detachable once set
so you can still use the hammock as a chair/lounger if you prefer.

With the 30 degrees, I always find trees at the same distance (give or take a few inches) and keep the straps (eye level for me) at the
same height. I always seem to get a good pitch by following above. No sag or excessive stretch in the SRL.

Your set up looks great for fair weather Have a look at Dutch's Ti buckles, which remove the need for a spike and adjust in seconds.

Happy swinging!

 

[hoppinmad]

Hi
IIHR the structural ridge line is 83% of the length of hammock at attachment points [rule of thumb]
Regards

 

[copper_head]

looks like a nice but of kit for the price.

Mines fixed at 100' (8ft 4') which works out perfect for me as I'm quite tall. You might want to keep it detachable once set
so you can still use the hammock as a chair/lounger if you prefer.

With the 30 degrees, I always find trees at the same distance (give or take a few inches) and keep the straps (eye level for me) at the
same height. I always seem to get a good pitch by following above. No sag or excessive stretch in the SRL.

Your set up looks great for fair weather Have a look at Dutch's Ti buckles, which remove the need for a spike and adjust in seconds.

Happy swinging!

Cheers for that, I've avoided looking at Dutchware so far I heard it can be somewhat addictive!
Next on this the list is to sort out some sort of UQ....

 

[Shewie]

Dutch Buckles are great, I took this snap when he was over with us in August, the old Caledonian pines were massive so I only just had enough on my tree straps.


Talk about trusting your gear ..

 

[jacko1066]

I'm just getting into hammocking but the system I use is very quick to put up and very adjustable.

I thread the fixed end of the whoopie sling through the channel on my hammock and larks foot (or head can't remember but its threaded through itself) I have then got a Dutch whoopie hook spliced onto the sling which then just clips onto the tree strap. Very quick to put up and easily adjusted.

A little tip I was told about the 30 deg angle, if you make a gun using your index finger and thumb the angle from the top of your thumb to the tip of your finger is roughly 30 deg.

Cheers

 

[Shewie]

It's worth taking a few steps back and looking at your angles too, remember to keep the foot end about 4" higher than the head.