Might need more amsteel

[Scarecrow]

To get directly to the question... generally speaking, how much amsteel do you guys recommend for crafting whoopie slings for hammock suspension? I have a sinking feeling that I may not have ordered quite enough amsteel. Here's the story as it goes:

Since I started getting into hammocks and also discussing the topic with my brother, he started looking into other hammock related stuff, and found some hammock chair made by a guy in Canada who goes by the name "Jeep". I think Jeep is a HF member, but I don't know if he's currently active on here. Anyhow, Jeep doesn't include any cordage for suspension when he sells these hammock chairs, so my brother came to me about what to use. I see a lot of talk about using amsteel on here, so I told him he should get some of that. Not being completely familiar with the stuff myself, (probably should've done more homework on amsteel & whoopies beforehand) I set him up with an order of 20 feet worth of amsteel 7/64, initially thinking that'd be enough. Would this amount work, or are we going to need more? It's going to be hooking up to a marlin spike hitch on some 9 ft tree straps.

[hikehunter]

ONE CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH AMSTEEL.....................!

[BananaHammock]

I usually use 25' to make whoopies. That gives me one pair with a range of about 2'-6'. If I only had 20feet, then I would make UCRs. They require less amsteel to make and are lighter. They work just as well and maybe better.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...e-an-UCR/page4

[SpitballJedi]

16.5' of Amsteel makes a Whoopie adjustable from ~1.5'- 8'. That's considering an 8" bury plus 2.5" fixed loop at one end. MIne have ~7.5" static space between where the tail comes out of the bury ant the fixed loop.

If you cut 20' in half, you have 10" (120")to work with on each sling.

A 2" fixed eye at one end takes about 16" of cordage. 4" for the loop and 12" for the bury. So, you have 104" left.

An 8" bury for the whoopie takes ~16" of cordage. That leaves 88".

It the tail has a end splice of 1.5", that uses 3" of cordage which leaves you with ~85" for the adjustable end.

85" loop will be 42.5" linear length.

So, (2" fixed loop + 6" bury)+(8"whoopie bury)=16" at it's shortest if the tail comes out right by the fixed loop's bury.

And, 16"+42.5"=58.5"(4.875') at it's longest.

They will be a few inches shorter because the buries inherently shorten the cord about 25% of the length of the buries and you loose a little when you larkshead the fixed en around something.

Can make them longer by removing some of the adjust-ability. You can gain an inch in between the buries, but the min-max goes from 16"-58.5" to 17"-59". You have a net gain in length of 1/2" for every inch you put between the two buries and you lose 1/2" in the range of adjust-ability.

You can also get extra inches here an there by shortening buries and loops, but I wouldn't suggest it myself for the few extra inches you may get.

So, to answer your question: It really depends on how big and far apart your trees are and how long your hammock is. A 1' diameter tree will use about 3' of your strap, 2' diameter tree will take 6.25' and 3' diameter will about 9.5'.

If my whoopies where 5', I would take something extra in case I needed to lengthen my suspension.

Personally, I would feel better having either longer tree straps or whoopies unless I was familiar with the camp spot and knew I wouldn't need it. I have 8" straps and 8" whoopies and have never had to use them at the ends though.

[SpitballJedi]

I usually use 25' to make whoopies. That gives me one pair with a range of about 2'-6'. If I only had 20feet, then I would make UCRs. They require less amsteel to make and are lighter. They work just as well and maybe better.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...e-an-UCR/page4

I like that suggestion. Never heard of though. Very nice. I may switch to this.

[Alamosa]

You should probably just order the 600' roll. Whoopies are addictive and nobody makes just one.

[BigE94]

With shipping cost just order a couple hundred feet. It will get used.

[daneaustin3]

2" loop taking 16" of line? Using a locked brummel I only use about 6-8" on line for that.

[SpitballJedi]

2" loop taking 16" of line? Using a locked brummel I only use about 6-8" on line for that.

4" for the loop. 6" inside the constriction and 6" of constriction. I wrote it that way for math purposes to show how much line it takes for the non-adjustable end and what's leftover for the whoopie and adjustable loop.

[theDaddy]

Everyone on here is spot-on. Jedi has a perfect breakdown of all the appropriate lengths, and everyone else nailed it- order at LEAST 100'. The stuff is inexpensive and addictive to play with!
(I buy all mine from Dutch)

This guy has an awesome video that shows all the lengths right out in front of you:

https://youtu.be/KtJGTgpv4dc

If this link doesn't work just search YouTube for Ian Young whoopie slings.

Happy Splicing
J