hammock ridge line

**Wags** · 08-04-2011, 10:34

Hey friends,
So I'm going to try out whoopies on my traveler, and I figure, while I'm at it, I will swap out the ridgeline with some lighter cord. Does it need to be any particular kind of cord? I have some 1.25 zline (that is very stiff, almost like wire) laying around. Or should it be really flexible stuff like lash-it?

Thanks

**motorapido** · 08-05-2011, 07:07

Not sure about the type of line you mentioned, but it sounds stiff and inflexible. This sounds dark and pessimistic, but I've wondered if anybody has ever been injured on a hammock ridge line? There you are, in the woods, in the dark, with big tree roots and rocks and other debris beneath you, you wake up to water the horse in the middle of the night, and while getting out of the hammock, turn an ankle and your legs buckle. What do you want to bump your head or neck or throat into? Somthing that will make an easy slice in your flesh or something more forgiving?
Hey, I'm in Harrisburg. Your neighbor. Camped out on the Susquehanna again last night, and headed back out again tonight. Oh, sweet summer, please don't end.

**dragon360** · 08-05-2011, 08:27

If I remember, Z-line has a lower breaking point than Zing-it. For me, I was happy with the go-to Zing-it 1.75mm.

**caleath** · 08-05-2011, 16:03

I didnt think there was supposed to be any stress on the ridgeline so I just used paracord. So far no problems.

**rip waverly** · 08-05-2011, 16:52

Originally Posted by caleath

I didnt think there was supposed to be any stress on the ridgeline so I just used paracord. So far no problems.

a consensus here is, a structural hammock ridgeline does withstand forces, its what keeps the sag consistent. that said, most have found paracord's stretch to negate any real or perceived benefit of said consistent sag created by using the srl. sure it works, just a heads up on why most use amsteel, dynaglide, or the most popular zing it / lash it stuff.

HYOH per ush

**Wags** · 08-06-2011, 18:28

finskie solved this problem for me with a surprise gift of an adjustable ridgeline made of dyneema 1.75

**gunner76** · 08-06-2011, 18:57

Zing-It Throwline (1.75mm) YELLOW orRED High-strength Dynema having 560-pound tensile strength.

Zing-It Throwline (2.2mm) YELLOW High-strength Dyneema having 670-pound tensile strength.

That should be plenety strong for a tarp ridge line