A little disappointed...or confused...

**alex30808** · 09-09-2007, 21:41

Hey there folks...I've been in the back ground for a while now and decided to join the site today. I've made two DIY hammocks now...one totaly experimental (just to see if I could do it) and the other was used last weekend on the trail. My disappointment comes from the fact that I tried to re-whip the one used last weekend. It did not work...I dont know if I did not fold it right or what...but I have a very tight center and lots of flap on both sides. I folded the material with an asem. shape and then used the roll technique that HeadChange photographed...not sure where I went wrong...but it's not right...LOL...I am completely new to this whole concept of camping and dont have a clue...thus the reason it took me so long to join the discussion...I am going to rework the hammock again tomorrow evening...what I need is a crash couse on how to properly hang a hammock. I've made a set of tree huggers and such...so securing the hammock to the tree is not the problem. I am confused on the ridge line and such. I feel that the hammock needs a structural ridge line...I am just not understanding how to hang the hammock and attach a ridge line...I've read Jeff's page and must say he's done a great job on the whole thing...that's where I learned about this site. I guess on question is...how far can the trees be apart and the hammock preform as expected? How close? I'll take a few photos of how I had it set up last weekend and tell me where I've gone wrong. I'll set it up and take them tomorrow and post them tomorrow evening. With last weekend's set up...I would sleep a little and have to repostion myself in it...I dont know anyone who's local to me who has a hammock that does this type of camping...so I am at the mercy of yall.

Thanks again for all the help.

**FanaticFringer** · 09-09-2007, 21:53

10' is usually about the minimum distance you would want. That's too close for most. 20' or more is what some have hung from. A nice sweet spot for most is say 12'-16'
How long is the rope your hanging from? That would obviously affect how far you could hang it. I use 12' of webbing per side which is plenty for well over 20' hangs.
If your up for it, maybe we could get together for a hanging in the beutiful N.Georgia Mtns.

**headchange4u** · 09-10-2007, 09:41

The roll whip will give you a hammock just like you stated: tight middle and a lot of slack in the sides. The roll whip came from the whipping technique used on HH which have side tie outs. The side tie outs take up the slack in the hammock.

You may try one of the other whipping techniques on Jeff's site if the roll whip is not working for you.

**terceiro** · 09-10-2007, 15:01

One illuminating comment in Headchange's tutorial is that he re-did his whipping something like twelve times before he was satisfied.

Don't like it? Try it again. And again. And again. Luckily, whipping is quick, easy, and non-destructive.

**Grinder** · 09-10-2007, 15:54

I would suggest that you first hang the hammock without a ridge line. Experiment with the amount of sag the gives you optimum comfort. I read that 30 degrees is about right. (Dave Womble, I believe) once you have the sag you want, measure the distance between hammock ends and add the ridge line.

theoretically, you can hang between any two points wider than the "sagged hammock" length. Just go high enough to clear the ground at the bottom of the hammock.

In practice, with a structural ridge line, you can string the hammock very tightly and, thus, don't have to raise the tie off points so much for wider spaced trees.

Hope this helps

Tom

**Dutch** · 09-10-2007, 18:23

You have to experimant with the proper sag and distance of the trees. When you find the right amount of sag then that is the proper ridgeline length. As far as the distance of the trees goes. I think it is best if you have a ridge line to keep it at a minimum. About 6 inches on either side should do. If it is too long there will be more rope to stretch. Once you find that perfect distance pace it off putting one foot in front of the other so you can duplicate it the next time. Also try hanging with your head or feet a little higher than the other. It is a personal preference of the indevidual user. As far as whipping goes I used wire ties until I was satified and then whipped it with rope, it was quicker.

**alex30808** · 09-10-2007, 19:03

First let me say thanks for all the help and suggestions. I do greatly appreciate it.

FanaticFringer...I am up to it...I am just completely new to this...and with out any experience in a Mfg. hammock to know how one is supposed to feel...I am at a loss.

Here's the only photo I got of the set up last weekend....

I just took this photo out here in my back yard...the trees are exactly 21' apart.

I have a tight line from tree to tree...it's set up like this....tree hugger-strap to the hammock's "ridge line is 5' + 8' ridge line pulled tight + 7' of ratchet strap attached to a hugger that is tight agains the tree.

The hammock hangs from the two brown 550 cord loops at the knots in the "ridge line".

If you think this could be my problem...any help would be greatly appreciated

I am going to re whip the hammock "Speer Style" and see if that helps any.

**alex30808** · 09-10-2007, 20:32

I went back and re-whipped the hammock "Speer Style" and it is MUCH better...I am not sure where I went wrong...but I'll figure it out soon enough. One thing I did do again is fold the material asem and then gathered it. This allowed the sides to tighten but allowed me to lay comfortably in it on my back, sides and even on my belly.

I went back to Jeff's site and looked at how he made his hammocks and now I understand one of my possible problems. I've not got long rope or webbing comming from my hammock itself...I have it hanging from the ridge line (which is pulled tight with the tree straps and the ratchet strap) with two lark's head loops that hang down from the ridge line.