Printable View
After I got my WBBB I watched the setup video on the website. It doesn't take me long to get it hung, but it takes me numerous tries to get the tension correct on the ridgeline. Any suggestions for the best way to adjust (i.e., move the strap up/down or lengthen/shorten the strap) when its too tight and when it's too loose?
Up and out (lengthen) to loosen, Down and in (shorten) to tighten.
It's really a matter of practice and repeitition and even then, set up change from trip to trip. The first thing I do is set it up around chair height and then get it. Depending on the tautness of the ridgeline I shorten or lengthen the suspension to adjust the ridgeline tension (shortening to make it more taut and lengthen to loosen). Changing the suspension length will raise or lower the hammock so when the ridgeline tension is where I want it, I move the straps up or down the trees to get it to chair height. Many people suggest having the foot end higer than the head end to keep your centre of gravity in the middle. After you've done it a while it gets quicker and you become able to eyeball it so there are less adjustments.
I set up the hammock at chair height while eye-balling a 30 degree angle on the suspension. Hold your hand with only your thumb & index finger extended, like a pistol, with your index finger parallel to the ground. The suspension line should touch the tip of your thumb & finger when it is at 30 degrees. Then toss your backpack in the hammock for weight while you fine tune the setup.
If there is sag in the ridgeline, shorten the suspension and lower the strap on the tree at the same time to keep the hammock at chair height. If the ridgeline is tight, lengthen the suspension while raising the straps at the tree.
BTW, you will probably be more comfortable if the foot end of the WBBB is about 6" higher than the head end.
I find it's a bit like parallel parking. If my starting position is good then I only need to make small corrections. A good first skill is estimating the distance between your trees in order to decide the height of your straps. It just takes some practice.
Last week I hung my BB a bit too tight, was sitting camp seat style thinking about resetting one of the tree straps, got to talking with a friend, the next thing I knew it was 1:00am in the morning and I had fallen asleep with my head in the footbox end of the hammock. :)
David