First test hang, now more questions..

**Daddio** · 07-05-2015, 17:53

I made my way over to the green belt in my neighborhood for a quick set up in an attempt to get my new Dutch adjustable ridge line installed.
The trees were about 20' apart so I set the straps just over my head. Stood back and gave it a look and decided to give it a sit. Seemed like everything stretched a lot, the hammock went from knee high to butt on the ground. Got back out, not very gracefully, raised and tightened the suspension some. This made the straps about 25*, according to the angle meter app, and about 6 or so feet high. Yeah I'm short, about 5'7". This kept me off the ground but there was no way I could lay on the bias. The sides of the hammock were fairly tight and tall, nothing that I would have considered comfortable.
I'm using a Yukon double hammock, which they claim as 11.5' long, but I think I need to actually measure it to make sure. Also have Dutch cinch buckle suspension.
So, I'm guessing the distance and angle was the problem but not sure how to adjust for it.

Where do I start?

**dkurfiss** · 07-05-2015, 18:07

First thing I would do is find a couple of trees closer together. I usually try to stay around 15'. If you were at 20' and that is all you got, then you are going to have to move up the tree more.

**Daddio** · 07-05-2015, 18:18

Yeah, the hang calculator said I needed 83", I'll have to find some different trees close by. These looked about the best option in this green belt.

**Intimidator** · 07-05-2015, 18:21

Would be interested to know how long it actually is . are most hammocks measured by material before gathering and such?

**SilvrSurfr** · 07-05-2015, 18:54

That's maybe a 15 degree pitch, far from the 30* angle you're seeking. I would highly recommend an adjustable ridgeline to help you out (Zing-it 1.75 mm).

**Daddio** · 07-05-2015, 19:09

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

That's maybe a 15 degree pitch, far from the 30* angle you're seeking. I would highly recommend an adjustable ridgeline to help you out (Zing-it 1.75 mm).

That was my mission of the day. I have one yet to be installed. But I couldn't get set up well enough to bother with it. I guess I just needed to climb the trees to get the suspension high enough, or as mentioned find a more suitable location.

**Thom** · 07-05-2015, 19:18

I definitely don't see a ridgeline in that photo. It is commonly accepted that the ridgeline should be about %83 of the hammock length.
20' is pushing it but it can be done. You just have to move the tree straps up a little bit.
Also, I believe the Yukon hammock length includes the rope and carabiners. The body of the hammock is not 11' long.

**Thom** · 07-05-2015, 19:18

Originally Posted by Daddio

That was my mission of the day. I have one yet to be installed. But I couldn't get set up well enough to bother with it. I guess I just needed to climb the trees to get the suspension high enough, or as mentioned find a more suitable location.

Install the ridgeline before you set up the hammock.

**Daddio** · 07-05-2015, 19:25

Originally Posted by Thom

Install the ridgeline before you set up the hammock.

Just set it 83% and adjust from there? Sorry first time for all this. I didn't want to break the ridge line from having it too tight. I'd still have to raise the suspension even with the ridge line, wouldn't I?

**Thom** · 07-05-2015, 19:41

I don't have any idea what length my ridgeline is. I always put it on before I ever set up the hammock and never take it off. Once it is set to where I feel the most comfortable I never adjust it. Don't worry about breaking it, there isn't much tension on the ridgeline.
Loop the ends of the ridgeline over the cinch buckles. The loops on the ridgeline should be going around the ropes connected to the cinch buckles and touching the body of the hammock. I hope that makes sense. Your hammock should look something like this when the ridgeline is adjusted correctly.
hammock.jpg