speer hammock "sweet spot"

[stevebo]

I have been having trouble finding the "sweet spot" when I set up my speer---im 6'5" even though my hammock is customized for my height , usually when laying on my side or on my back my lower back ends up aching after a long stay in the hammock (I think because of the way I lay, I think my back ends up kind of twisted) When you guys set up your speer, how much sag do you put in the line-----and do you have any other suggestions? My hammock skills are a work in progress, and I really should have this one nailed by now..............(are there any you tube videos etc that show the proper way tohang a speer?) One more question, when using a peapod, do you hang the hammock differently?

[gargoyle]

Steve, I'm 6-4 3/4. What I did was play with the length of the ridgline alot during my initial testing/hanging. I was suprised how much difference a small change in the sag made the hammock lay completely different. I do not have a Speer, so take that with a grain o' salt.

Everybody has their 'spot', all I can recommend is adjust, lay..adjust,lay....until you find YOUR 'sweet spot'. It may take a week to find it, so be patient.

[opie]

Steve, I'm 6-4 3/4. What I did was play with the length of the ridgline alot during my initial testing/hanging. I was suprised how much difference a small change in the sag made the hammock lay completely different. I do not have a Speer, so take that with a grain o' salt.

Everybody has their 'spot', all I can recommend is adjust, lay..adjust,lay....until you find YOUR 'sweet spot'. It may take a week to find it, so be patient.

Ill parrot gargoyle...

I was surprised what difference a 1 inch change in length in the ridgeline made in the comfort of my hammock. I think every hammock should have a RL.

Lots of testing... which means lots of naps... and thats good for the soul.

[leroybrown]

Lots of testing... which means lots of naps... and thats good for the soul.[/QUOTE]

sorry to butt in: I just think this is very quote worthy

Have you tried something under your knees? That is how I find my sweet spot

[MacEntyre]

My Speer is more forgiving than my HH was. I hang it with a lot of sag, equivalent to a short ridgeline. Many people change the whipping on the ends to get it right for them. I haven't done that, but if I did, I would try to eliminate the high sides... it is harder to get out than it should be, and it is not as comfy as a lounge chair as it should be, both because of the high sides.

[FarStar]

My Speer is more forgiving than my HH was. I hang it with a lot of sag, equivalent to a short ridgeline. Many people change the whipping on the ends to get it right for them. I haven't done that, but if I did, I would try to eliminate the high sides... it is harder to get out than it should be, and it is not as comfy as a lounge chair as it should be, both because of the high sides.

Mac,

What do you mean by changing the whipping? The last post above talks about a concave vs convex shaping of the channel ends (whatever that means) -- is this what you are referring to? I agree that the high sides can make exiting troublesome at times.

The only discomfort I've experienced is when the hammock is hung with insufficient sag -- this results in my shoulders being squeezed. I find the center of the hammock as comfy as laying diagonally.

When you and others talk about a ridgeline, I assume you're not talking about the ridgeline that accompanies the hammock to support the BugNet? Because one end is shockcorded to the D-ring on the strap, it doesn't control sag in any way. Thus, I'm assuming you've added a structural ridgeline. Where have you attached this structural ridgeline to -- the hammock ends, or the D-rings on the straps?

Thanks,

FarStar

[MacEntyre]

What do you mean by changing the whipping? The last post above talks about a concave vs convex shaping of the channel ends (whatever that means) -- is this what you are referring to?

Yes! The Speer method of whipping pulls in a little more of the edges than the middle, resulting in tight hammock edges and high sides. I suppose Ed does that so that the velcro along the hammock edges does a better job of supporting the bugnet and the Snugfit.

...assuming you've added a structural ridgeline.

No, I don't use a structural ridgeline.

I add one when I use the IX Hammock Sock. That ridgeline is a whoopie sling, and it attaches directly to the whoopie sling suspension.

[Buckeye Dave]

Following up on FarStar's post, can you attach a structural ridgeline to a Speer hammock with the stock suspension and bug net? Laying inside and looking up, I can't picture how it is done. Thanks.

[BillyBob58]

Following up on FarStar's post, can you attach a structural ridgeline to a Speer hammock with the stock suspension and bug net? Laying inside and looking up, I can't picture how it is done. Thanks.

Sure! You just replace the stock Speer RL with a structural one. But don't use the same connecting D rings, I don't think they are made for that kind of stress. The net should fit over the new RL OK, unless maybe you are using a ton of sag?

[MacEntyre]

Following up on FarStar's post, can you attach a structural ridgeline to a Speer hammock with the stock suspension and bug net?

You just keep the bugnet's non-structural ridgeline, and let it sag down below the structural ridgeline.