Breaking Strength Required for Structural Ridgeline?

**ChrisKayler** · 08-24-2010, 13:32

What is the breaking strength required for a structural ridgeline on a hammock? Is the whole weight of the person put onto the ridgeline, or does it take less load? I weigh about 165.

**Just Jeff** · 08-24-2010, 13:34

It depends on the angle of the supports, but a ridgeline can be less strong than hammock supports. I'd be careful going below about 300 lbs, though...just a guess. I'm sure one of the matheletes will chime in with a formula and .xls spreadsheet soon!

**Bubba** · 08-24-2010, 13:52

Here's what Grizz said in another thread:

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

...

Thumbnail sketch...if your hammock is hanging from the ridgeline at 30 degrees, and the suspension line approaches the tree from the ridgeline at 20 degrees, then the total force on the ridgeline is half the body weight. Crank the tension up to make the angle on the suspension line to tree 15 degrees, and the force on the ridgeline is the body weight. Even tighter (if possible, e.g. using a trucker's hitch or something equally insane) to 10 degrees and it is twice the body weight. You get the picture...

**thekalimist** · 08-24-2010, 14:08

not sure, but when I (220lbs) get into my hammock there is a far amount of tension on the RL. Im using 7/64 amsteel, but thats WAYYYYY overkill. I also use my RL to adjust/get out of hammock so i prefer strength

**pgibson** · 08-24-2010, 14:38

I have heard of a few folks have 300 pound rated cord snap, I would not go under that and for hammock ridge lines we make I use 1000 pound rated dynaglide.

**Jimmyo66** · 08-24-2010, 14:50

So, the structural ridgeline actually supports the person in the hammock. Sorry about my ignorance. In a real simple way, can someone explain the exact funtion on a structural ridgeline?

**angrysparrow** · 08-24-2010, 14:59

A structural ridgeline creates a minimum amount of sag (the U shape) of a hammock. That lets you lay on the diagonal easier, because the material is looser.

If you have a hammock without a ridgeline, the tighter it is pulled the more 'inline' you have to lay in the hammock due to the tension, and if it's tight enough the sides will squeeze your shoulders.

Read the ridgeline section of this page, for visuals.

**Jimmyo66** · 08-24-2010, 15:12

Thank you so much. That article was very informative. I have an ENO Double Nest, can I attach the ridgeline to the stock carabiners?

**Rain Man** · 08-24-2010, 16:37

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

A structural ridgeline creates a minimum amount of sag (the U shape) of a hammock. That lets you lay on the diagonal easier, because the material is looser.

Hmmmmmm ... you are making me think differently! I always thought a structural ridgeline created a maximum amount of sag. Back to the drawing board.

Since I recently bought my wife a double ENO, this has taken on more interest for me, than in the past when all I had was a HH.

Rain Man

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**pgibson** · 08-24-2010, 17:03

Originally Posted by Jimmyo66

Thank you so much. That article was very informative. I have an ENO Double Nest, can I attach the ridgeline to the stock carabiners?

Yes you can, depending on how the ridge line is made or set up to function. But most would be very easy to clip into the carabiners, including adjustable ones.

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Hmmmmmm ... you are making me think differently! I always thought a structural ridgeline created a maximum amount of sag. Back to the drawing board.
.

You can always increase the amount of sag in the hammock causing the ridge to be loose but a tight ridge line is generating a set minimum, by hanging the straps even higher or trees closer a loose ridge line becomes non-functional and will let you go more and more sag all the way to the hammock ends touching (the max sag possible)