How tight to pull a hammock with a structural ridgeline?

[dean4442]

Hi There,
As above really, I seem to find way too much info out there when I search. All I want to know is, after fitting a structural ridgeline to my hammock how tight should I pull the suspension when setting it up?
By that I mean, should I pull it as tight as a washing line or with the 30 degree slack built in? This is probably one of those questions which experienced hammockers will find daft but I'm a simple guy and like simple answers!
Colin

 

[mountainm]

30 degree slack.

 

[Shewie]

Does this help at all? ...

 

[PDA1]

You must keep the 30 deg from horizontal angle for the suspension lines. At 30 deg, if you weigh 100 kilos, the strain on EACH suspension line is 100 likos. At 20 degrees it is almost 150 kilos on each line. at 15 degrees, it is almost 200 kilos on each. At 5 deg it is 600 kilos. Look at www.theultimatehang.com for lots of simply explained hammock problems.

 

[dean4442]

Thank you guys that's just what I needed. I wasn't sure if the ridgeline was supposed to ensure the hammock has the right amount of slack

 

[mountainm]

Thank you guys that's just what I needed. I wasn't sure if the ridgeline was supposed to ensure the hammock has the right amount of slack

It is. It's just you can't put too much stress on the trees/your suspension either.

 

[dean4442]

That's what has me confused as to how tight to go.

 

[Philster]

I have been wanting to try a structural ridgeline but worry it might be in the way - it looks like you'd rub against it whenever you get in/out of the hammock. Is this right?

 

[mountainm]

That's what has me confused as to how tight to go.

The ridgeline will pull fairly tight even though the suspension isn't horizontal. It's just a guide for comfort.

 

[Chiseller]

I have been wanting to try a structural ridgeline but worry it might be in the way - it looks like you'd rub against it whenever you get in/out of the hammock. Is this right?

Depends on how long your whoopies are . The structural ridgeline helps you get in and out sometimes.

If your whoopies are short , you may rub against it and it hinders sitting up.

Nailed Horbury Bridge rapids .....wooooooo

 

[mountainm]

Depends on how long your whoopies are . The structural ridgeline helps you get in and out sometimes.

If your whoopies are short , you may rub against it and it hinders sitting up.

Nailed Horbury Bridge rapids .....wooooooo

Not sure I'm with you there - why would the length of whoopies make any difference? It's the length of the SRL that will dictate the sag in the hammock and therefore the "headroom". The whoopie length can vary without changing the sag on the hammock. That's the idea behind having a fixed SRL on a hammock.

 

[ShooTa]

when tightening it leave the ridgline tight but more like a half tightened guyline - so when you get into the hammock it becomes fully tight - a tight guyline - aka strummable.