Whoopie Sling Suspension

**HCH** · 07-05-2010, 12:27

Hey guys this is HCH's girlfriend. I just got done making my first whoopie sling, and I was kinda confused on how long to cut the Amsteel blue. How long should the entire product be?? Also I need to start on the suspension ridgeline, if anyone has any input on how long that should be the advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

**Dutch** · 07-05-2010, 14:48

I usually make my whoopies out of 14' long amsteel. For the ridgeline it all depends on the length of the hammock. I suggest you make it plenty long and then you can shorten it until you find it comfortable. Or you can make the ridgeline a whoopie and adjust it how you like.

**opie** · 07-05-2010, 16:26

Originally Posted by HCH

Hey guys this is HCH's girlfriend. I just got done making my first whoopie sling, and I was kinda confused on how long to cut the Amsteel blue. How long should the entire product be?? Also I need to start on the suspension ridgeline, if anyone has any input on how long that should be the advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

If you want a 6' sling, start with 13' of cord. 8' sling, 17' of cord. basically you double your intended finshed length +1'. The extra foot is for the buries, eye etc.

**HCH** · 07-05-2010, 22:33

Thank you!

**deer man** · 07-28-2010, 16:33

I can see the advantages of using whoopie slings, I use one most days at work but I have a suspension rope already, why cut it and replace with dynema etc? If you are intent on using a marlin spike you can but instead of using a whoopie use your existing suspension rope and simply tie a blakes hitch. This will do the same job http://www.animatedknots.com/blakes/index.php

Thoughts please.

**mtncmpr** · 07-29-2010, 01:08

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To me, the description of the holding power of the Blakes Hitch doesn't sound as secure as the holding power of the whoopiesling.

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**deer man** · 07-29-2010, 03:49

Originally Posted by mtncmpr

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To me, the description of the holding power of the Blakes Hitch doesn't sound as secure as the holding power of the whoopiesling.

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If a blakes hitch is tied dressed and set correctly it is fine for a hammock suspension. My original point was why cut and modify if you don;t have to? A blakes or any other friction hitch will do what you want saving time weight and money buying new gear.

**TiredFeet** · 07-29-2010, 19:00

Originally Posted by deer man

If a blakes hitch is tied dressed and set correctly it is fine for a hammock suspension. My original point was why cut and modify if you don;t have to? A blakes or any other friction hitch will do what you want saving time weight and money buying new gear.

I think you will find that friction hitches will work for an occupied hammock only if you use appropriately sized ropes. Namely, if you are using 1/8" or 7/64" rope for the friction hitch, then you will need 1/4" rope for the suspension.

Friction hitches have been tried by many on the forums. I haven't yet read of anybody being successful with equal sized rope for both the suspension and the friction hitch.

Of course this assumes that you are occupying the hammock with an adult, say 180 lbs or greater. If the occupant is a child of less than 100 lbs, you may be successful.

The necessity for a large rope for the suspension is the reason nobody uses friction hitches in their suspension and why the splices, both the whoopie and the UCR are so popular. They work and do so on the smallest rope. Also, the derate the rope much less than knots.

**deer man** · 07-31-2010, 06:52

Originally Posted by TiredFeet

I think you will find that friction hitches will work for an occupied hammock only if you use appropriately sized ropes. Namely, if you are using 1/8" or 7/64" rope for the friction hitch, then you will need 1/4" rope for the suspension.

Friction hitches have been tried by many on the forums. I haven't yet read of anybody being successful with equal sized rope for both the suspension and the friction hitch.

Of course this assumes that you are occupying the hammock with an adult, say 180 lbs or greater. If the occupant is a child of less than 100 lbs, you may be successful.

The necessity for a large rope for the suspension is the reason nobody uses friction hitches in their suspension and why the splices, both the whoopie and the UCR are so popular. They work and do so on the smallest rope. Also, the derate the rope much less than knots.

I have used the blakes hitch on my hennessey with no problems using the original cord, Knots are weaker than a splice in strength but you are not tying a knot you are tying a friction hitch, friction is what supports your weight.

There are many others hitches to try.

**Frawg** · 07-31-2010, 08:17

The point of replacing existing line with HDPE is its lighter weight for a given strength, which is a significant factor for several here.

Past threads have documented various attempts to suspend a hammock with friction hitches on HDPE line. If you can make a friction hitch, of whatever kind, work on HDPE I'm sure several of us would welcome enlightenment.

A report with pics would be nice.