Illustration - Optimal Distance and Height Between Anchors

[angrysparrow]

The rule of thumb is that a structural ridgeline is 80% of the hammock length.

Isn't it 83%? A large number of folks seem to prefer it within one inch of 83%, if I recall correctly.

[beep]

Isn't it 83%? A large number of folks seem to prefer it within one inch of 83%, if I recall correctly.

I stand corrected!! Even better...in that case a 100 inch ridgeline is "right" for a 10 foot hammock!

[Boris Losdindawoods]

10 inches per foot is 83%. That makes the math really easy and might make a cynic suspicious about why that number is so popular...

Boris

[GoBucks]

Just trying to understand the 83% rule as it applies to a structural ridge line...

So the 83% gets applied to the distance from where the hammock ends and the suspension begins? For instance, I have two ascender rings fastened with amsteel to the end of my ENO doublenest. The distance between rings is ~150".

So, my structural ridge line should be roughly 150 * .83 = 124.5" (+/- one inch) correct?

[angrysparrow]

So, my structural ridge line should be roughly 150 * .83 = 124.5" (+/- one inch) correct?

That's a staring point to find where it's most comfortable for you. Adjust as needed, but it should get you close.

[GoBucks]

Works for me. Thanks for the clarification.

[Arvis]

I saw dejoha's excellent pictorial advice on the proper way to hang a hammock... however, the 30 degree angle isn't crystal clear to me: if the suspension, veiwed at the hammock attachment, is 30 degrees from horizontal... then the angle of the suspension will be 60 degrees between the tree and the suspension viewed at the tree attach point????

[beep]

I saw dejoha's excellent pictorial advice on the proper way to hang a hammock... however, the 30 degree angle isn't crystal clear to me: if the suspension, veiwed at the hammock attachment, is 30 degrees from horizontal... then the angle of the suspension will be 60 degrees between the tree and the suspension viewed at the tree attach point????

Yes...the 30 degrees is the deflection from horizontal.

[dejoha]

Yes...the 30 degrees is the deflection from horizontal.

See, all this crazy math talk gets me confused. I just walk 3 paces between my trees, reach just over my head, and hang.

Since webbing, hammock, and some suspension lines stretch a little, the calculation to get 30° from horizontal isn't a straight line problem. I've noticed that in the field, the further apart the attach points, I have to go a little higher than the basic straight line math would predict.

Having a structural ridgeline further complicates things as you can "short-curcuit" the final hang angle depending on how close or apart you keep the end points of your hammock. You can add more complexity if you prefer your head or foot area higher or lower, etc., etc.

This added complication was why I opted to draw this thing as simple as possible, adding a basic 1-2-3 method to get you in the ball park (e.g., 1. three paces; 2. head-high attach; 3. hang).

[Knotty]

dejoha - Missed this when you first posted but didn't want to miss the opportunity to thank you for yet another great illustration.