Adjustable ridge line question

I know from all my years working that I am a visual learner. However nothing points this out more than when I try to do something with a hammock. I have a gathered end hammock. Overall length is 120". Now I am trying to put on an adjustable ridge line on it, which is attached to the hammock right at the gathered ends. From the calculations I see, a rule of thumb is .83 * length which in my case is 99.6". By some quirk or stroke of luck, I just went out and measured what I setup just playing around with it and I have the ridgeline tightened so that it is 100". When I get in/out of the hammock that seems comfortable and I feel like I am lying relatively flat. All good, except either I don't understand this ridgeline stuff or am expecting too much. When I get in the hammock, the ridgeline basically collapses, which makes total sense since now I have pulled the ends with my weight. Not only is it now in my way, but the idea of getting a bug net that is held up by the ridgeline is definitely not in the cards. So my basic instincts are to tighten the ridgeline, so that it would be tight when I get in the hammock. This has got to be wrong, because I would be taking quite a few inches off the length to get this result. Also with a much shorter ridgeline my hammock would have "quite the sag", resulting in my messing up what seems like a good distance off the ground and ability to be relatively flat. Should I get someone to lay in the hammock and adjust the ridgeline then - not worrying about how long or short it is? Maybe I have not found the right instructions or better yet video, but this has me a little stumped (as hammock physics usually does :)

Any advice or pointer to other information would be appreciated.

Definitely not a hammock savant.

Tom

You need to consult the hammock hang calculator:

http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-hang-calculator/

My guess is you probably need to slide your straps up (or down) the tree a bit - you don't have a 30 degree angle.

If the ridgeline is loose or as you say, collapsing , it sounds like you either have trees that are to close, or your tree straps are to high on the trees. The 83% rule is for when the hammock is loaded. If you are getting in, and the ridge is loose, then you have less than the 83%. If the hammock is comfortable, and your fine with the lay, then just shorten the ridge so you can achieve this lay every time. BTW, the 83% is just a starting point. Some find it perfect, others like it longer, and some shorter. Hope this helps.......RR

Pull your suspension straps tighter.
I put my backpack in the hammock when setting up to at least add a bit of weight, which helps. When I think it's about right, I check by pressing my hand into the bottom of the hammock to take up any remaining slack. Then tighten up the suspension further if needed.

After a quick calculation, if you were to remove 4" from the ridgeline, you would be at 80%, which is not unheard of........RR

Thanks guys. All points valid. I lack trees - the hammock is strung up on my stand out on the patio - so that was a factor. Once I did the geometry - I was not even close to 30d, so I corrected that as much as possible.

Calculator also big help.

Long story short, some adjustments above and shorten the ridge line and it is much better now.

Thanks again.

Tom

Use some elastic strap or cord to tug gently on the bug net. Strap / band from the sewing supply section of a department store will be fine, as very little strength is needed. If your undershorts aren't held up by their own belt or by the pants over them, then that's all the tug-to-snug you need.

A few inches of that stitched in the right places, will keep your bug net taut even if you shorten the ridge-line.