The 30° thing...

[Flash Grundelore]

Being a relative newcomer, and not wanting to ruin my brand-new toys.... I took it for granted that the suggested 30° angle between the end of your hammock and the tree or suspension support is with the hammock unloaded.

However, on some forgotten link that I surfed through over the last few days I saw an infographic that has a smiling fellow happily reclining in his hammock with the indicator of the 30° angle.

Probably worth asking...
Thoughts from the gurus?

Also, what are the dire consequences of a too steep, or too shallow angle of dangle?
[I get the torture of your spine thing… I'm asking more about the consequences to the gear]

[jdr724]

The 30* is a good reference but will vary based on personal preference etc.......

If you have a premade hammock with a fixed ridgeline then it's most likely tuned so that when you have it at ~30* the ridgeline will be not too tight and not too loose.

tighten and loosen your suspension and see what you like.

If you don't have a fixed ridgeline then you can add one at 83% of your hammock length which will put you where most commercial hammocks with ridgelines are as described above.

[MAD777]

When you set up your hammock, throw your backpack into the hammock to weight it. That way it's pretty much in the same position as when you're laying in it.

By the way, make a "pistol" with your index finger and thumb (like when you were a kid) and the line from the tip of your index finger to the tip of you thumb is 30°.

[raggydoo]

When you set up your hammock, throw your backpack into the hammock to weight it. That way it's pretty much in the same position as when you're laying in it.

By the way, make a "pistol" with your index finger and thumb (like when you were a kid) and the line from the tip of your index finger to the tip of you thumb is 30°.

Great tip, thanks!

[vtaflyer]

By the way, make a "pistol" with your index finger and thumb (like when you were a kid) and the line from the tip of your index finger to the tip of you thumb is 30°.

Hey, that kind of stuff can get you expelled from school these days. Be very careful where you do this!

[Shiver]

Great tip thanks

[Maddog5150]

The 30 degree angle ensures you are not putting too much tension on your suspension and hammock. Past a certain point the load increases above the weight actually in the hammock. A great way to demonstrate this is to go to the hammock hang calculator website and change the suspension angle numbers and see what it does to the forces on your suspension.

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

The smart phone app is really cool too. I'm not affiliated, just a satisfied customer.

[Shug]

I go about head high to hook my suspension. Seems to always be the spot.
Shug

[Theguywitheyebrows]

The 30 degree angle ensures you are not putting too much tension on your suspension and hammock. Past a certain point the load increases above the weight actually in the hammock. A great way to demonstrate this is to go to the hammock hang calculator website and change the suspension angle numbers and see what it does to the forces on your suspension.

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

The smart phone app is really cool too. I'm not affiliated, just a satisfied customer.

+1!!!

[PreciousPixie]

When you set up your hammock, throw your backpack into the hammock to weight it. That way it's pretty much in the same position as when you're laying in it.

By the way, make a "pistol" with your index finger and thumb (like when you were a kid) and the line from the tip of your index finger to the tip of you thumb is 30°.

I really like this. Its good for the folks like me that need all the help we can get. Thanks!