Fat Boy Help!!..

[Warurdude]

Alright here it goes, I’ve been on the side lines reading about ridgelines. I’ve found out a lot of information, however most of it surrounds you lightweights. I weigh 315 lbs., on bad day, 290lbs any other. I use a Ticket to the Moon Double Hammock with tubular nylon straps. The straps make it a heavy set up but easy and I want to lighten the load maybe using tree huggers with amsteel 1/8” or 7/64” line (if it will hold me), Will either of these hold me? I don‘t want to end up on my butt or head in the middle of the night. The other problem I’m having is I waking up in the middle of the night with my feet above my head, I’ve adjusted the straps up and down till I’m blue in the face. Will a ridge line set up keep this from happening? What set up to use for a fat boy? I know these questions have been asked before, but I don‘t know if it has been someone of my mass. If anyone would show me the way and thousand thanks and appreciation is coming your way.

[angrysparrow]

...maybe using tree huggers with amsteel 1/8” or 7/64” line (if it will hold me), Will either of these hold me?

Yes, Amsteel is more than sufficiently strong for even the largest of occupants. If you are feeling cautious, use 1/8" Amsteel...which is strength rated at ~2500lbs.

The other problem I’m having is I waking up in the middle of the night with my feet above my head, I’ve adjusted the straps up and down till I’m blue in the face. Will a ridge line set up keep this from happening?

The solution to that is to hang the hammock so that the foot end is several inches higher than the head end. When the hammock is then weighted, you will be less likely to 'slide' towards the foot end which in turn raises your feet further.

A ridgeline will help you spot how level (or unlevel) your hang is. That can be surprisingly hard to do until you have practice at doing so. It will also help maintain the same amount of sag in the hammock fabric from hang to hang if the ridgeline is structural.

[pgibson]

Hey Warurdude,

Couple things that may help, and a question or two to clear up one thing that may help answer your questions better.

Question, you said you are using tube webbing, do you know if it is nylon or something else? buy it at a climbing shop/department? or else were?

If it is nylon, the feet raising may be the the webbing is stretching in the direction of the most weight in the hammock, your legs are the lightest part of you so they will end up not stretching the webbing less and will end up higher though out the night.

Using an amsteel will help as it dose not stretch till the last bit of possible load before breaking. Amsteel will definitely hold you in either size but one thing to remember, using a knot will reduce the strength of the amsteel, depending on the knot as much as 50%. So the 1/8th inch may be a better choice if you want the error well on the side of safety.

Also you may want to go overkill on the tree huggers if you are worried about overall strength.

Hope that helps

Paul

[Mize]

I'm 270 (all muscle) and pgibson has the solution to your hammock slipping as that has happened to me. The strap at the head end of my hammock stretched until I went to straps that did not, thanks to REI. I just want to add that my body has a slipping problem inside my hammock when I lay in too much of a direct line with my ridgeline. I have no slippage when I lay with my head at 10:30 and feet at 4:30 type angle in my hammock and it's more comfy as well. Wasn't sure which slippage you were describing so thought I'd cover all the slipping problems I've had being a big boned individual.

[Warurdude]

I raised the feet until my head was hanging out, i beleive it was the web streching as suggest in pgibson post. As i don't exactly remember what type I purchased. I was reading the single line supension system when I typed this and appearently got my wires crossed.

ok i put my ridge line on with amsteel what do I use for the right distance on ends? Can I finish up with the amsteel, or get buckles with webbing (trying to back on weight). But the way it sounds I'm gonna have to have it one way or the other

[gargoyle]

Ridgeline distance is a personal preference thing. What I did for mine was setup the hammock, find the comfort zone "FOR ME". Then, after I was sure I liked the sag of the hammock, tied on my ridgeline.

What hammock are you using?

You can always go with an adjustable ridgeline by adding a figure nine into the mix.

[Hooch]

Ridgeline distance is a personal preference thing.

Exactly, as Gargoyle said, it's a highly personal thing. There is no right or wrong length for a structural ridgeline, just what works for you.

What hammock are you using?

Do tell, inquiring minds want to know.

You can always go with an adjustable ridgeline by adding a figure nine into the mix.

This can also be easily accomplished with a whoopie sling ridgeline. Very strong and very easily adjustable.

[opie]

Ive had 370 pounds in my ENO using 7/64 amsteel.

The difference in weight between the 1/8 and 7/64 is not enough to worry about unless you weigh everything you carry. The 7/64 will work.....

[angrysparrow]

Ridgeline distance is a personal preference thing.

Exactly, as Gargoyle said, it's a highly personal thing. There is no right or wrong length for a structural ridgeline, just what works for you.

Complete agreement.

However...

*Most* people settle on a ridgeline length between 82% and 83% of the length of their hammock fabric. That is a good 'starting' point from which to work.

[Warurdude]

gargoyle,
I'm using Ticket To The Moon, sorry I didn't get back sooner been away.