Ridgeline question

**Peg-Leg** · 06-09-2009, 17:46

This may be dumb question, but should'nt the length of a structural ridgeline always be shorter then the length of your hammock material?

I'm working on a DIY hammock and using some info on Hennessy's site for a guide. Some of the info on the hammock comparison chart is confusioning. In one area it shows the hammock width wider then the material width.

What keeps the ridgeline from sagging somewhat when you sit in the hammock? I know I can pull it tight during setup, but it seems the ridgeline would still sag somewhat when the downward force of my weight causes the hammock ends to move towards each other.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-09-2009, 17:57

The width is a bit confusing on the HH website. I am assuming he measures the width between the staked tieouts. That makes the measurement a diagonal across the hammock bed effectively making the width longer than the width of the fabric as perpendicular.

The ridgeline is indeed shorter than the hammock fabric. The ridgeline serves to establish a consistent amount of sag in the hammock set up. It should not be stretched any tighter than need be to establish the amount of sag you want. Once you are in the hammock as long as it does not sag to the point of being a nuisance.. it's all good.

**Peg-Leg** · 06-09-2009, 18:13

Any suggestions for ridgelines versus hammocks lengths? I'll do a search as well.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-09-2009, 18:19

That is largely personal preference. I have not done the kind of experimentation needed to be able to describe my own preference. I have an Explorer Ultralight which I find very satisfactory. If I was going to try to make my own that s where I would start.

**hangnout** · 06-09-2009, 18:28

The comparison chart on the HH site should give you a good starting point. For example they list the Backpacker and Expedition models with 120" hammock length and 100" ridgeline

It looks like a ridgeline of about 83% of hammock length is the most common on the Hennessy hammocks and also on the WB Blackbird

**Doctari** · 06-09-2009, 21:30

Yea, ridgeline length is very personal. It is also, at least for me, measured in inches or fractions thereof. My last (& final?) adjustment of my newest set up was less than 1.25" & resulted in a big change (Improvement) in comfort.
I can sleep in firewalker's set up, but only for a nap, any longer & I find it very uncomfortable, but to him, it's optimal. And, he fussed with it for days (weeks?) to get it right for him.
I start out with a ridgeline near the same length as the hammock to allow for stretch of the material, then I start out with way more sag than I know I need & adjust from there, sometimes 1 - 2 inches at a time, sometimes more sometimes less. Be patient, it will come.

**Merganser** · 06-09-2009, 22:11

That 10/12 ridgeline to body ratio is close to what you're likely to want. The DYI I made has fabric that is 132in (finished) and I my ridgeline is about 112in whip to whip, just over that ratio.