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I use Air Core Plus from BPL now. I've also used Spectra from a kite-surfing store. 550 cord stretches way too much.
Check the files section at the yahoo hammockcamping group - Youngblood posted an Excel spreadsheet with the forces on supports and ridgelines.
I just added a ridgeline to my hammock. I use the 1/16 Spectra stuff Speer sells.
I see why Hennessy patented it. I'm amazed at the difference it makes.
1 - I use 3/32" (1.8mm) Spyderline from Annapolis Performance Sailing. It's really light and rated to 350 lbs. It's also listed as "low-stretch", which testing bears out.
2 - I've measured less than 3/4" stretch, under my weight (165 lbs.), in my ~ 10' ridgeline. I can remeasure for accuracy if anyone's interested. I've tried 550 cord, and I'd estimate that it stretches WAY more than just 10%. Just an eyeball judgment, though.
3 - I'm not really sure how you're measuring stretch using a plumb bob. I measured the line with no load, then hung, got in, and measured again.
I've run through the force diagram for a ridgeline before, but I don't have it handy right now. If you want, I'll sketch it out again really quick and post it. I do remember that, under 'normal' conditions, I came up with ~ 250 lbs. breaking strength as being save for both ridgeline and ridge biners. By 'normal' conditions, I mean my weight and a sag angle of about 20* (I think). That being said, I've been using unrated biners on the ridgelines of both my homemade Speer-type and my HH ULB with no visible stress to the biners.
The HH ridgeline is probably a lot stronger than you think. I'm assuming they source it from wherever they get their support Spectra (who knows where that is...). I know the ridge is Spectra, and going from the pretty impressive strength (through testing) of the support lines, I'd bet the stuff on the ridge is pretty strong, too. I have no idea where they get either cord, though, so it's kinda hard to say.
Biners? How do you use/place a ridgeline biner?
On both my HH and my homemade, I use a biner to attach one end of the ridgeline. That way I can remove the ridgeline quickly and easily if I want - it makes lounging, cooking, etc. much nicer. I actually haven't needed to remove the ridge on my homemade yet because I somehow managed to attach it higher in the first place - I have enough clearance so it doesn't bother me. It's MUCH nicer to remove it for lounging in my HH though.Quote:
Originally Posted by funbun
Ahh, that makes sense. Right now my ridgeline is really high, But I was wondering if there was a way to set it lower and remove it when needed.