Ridge Lines

**jakethesnake** · 01-21-2007, 00:38

What ratio do you use for your ridge lines. I just finnished hammock #4 and thought I would try using a ridge line. This hammock is 10' from knot to knot. I set it up today and thought I would see what other people are doing. A couple of things I learned doing this one.
1: It is much easyer to just ask my wife to hem the edge and it looks better then when I do it.
2: Don't use a ridge line that streches.

**Coffee** · 01-21-2007, 00:49

Right now mine is around 8.5 feet if that helps. But I have a long hammock. It is about to get shorter soon though.

It basically comes done to comfort. Hang the hammock to where it feels comfortable. Then measure and hang your ridgeline that length. This way your hammock will always hang the same way with the same sag every hang (all other things equal).

**Grinder** · 01-21-2007, 08:33

My opinion:

Set up the new hammock with 30 degrees sag angle and measure the distance.

Or

Sleep in the new hammock, adjusting until you find the "perfect" set up.

Then measure and make a ridge line.

Miles of Smiles
Tom

**blackbishop351** · 01-21-2007, 09:13

I cut a length of ridge cord about a foot longer than my hammock material - that's the max you'd need, plus room for knots. I tied a bight in one end and put in on the head end of the hammock via a larkshead. I put a small (but rated) 'biner on the foot end of the hammock and tied the other end of the ridge cord to it with what I call a 'slipping two half hitches'. Then I got in and tested. Then slipped the knot loose, adjusted, and retied. Repeat as necessary.

**jakethesnake** · 01-21-2007, 10:44

I tyied a couple different lengths and was just supprised how short the ridge line was. Mine currenly is about 2' shorter then the hammock.

**Doctari** · 07-13-2007, 10:39

I just (accidently?) tested how the length of a ridgeline makes a difference. I decided to switch to the ring buckles like at http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGe...eSupports.html
I used spectra cord as my combination ridgeline/support rope. In order to make the rings work, I had 2 choices: #1 cut of the spectra cord at each end, leaving me with 2 rather short pieces of spectra. #2 measure the ridgeline length, untie EVERYTHING & then try to re tie at the correct length.
I chose option #2, I mis-tied, the ridgeline was ONE INCH longer. BIG difference, tried it 2 nights, slept ok, but not as well as nights past (my back hurt). This AM I re-tied, & tho I sort of suspect that I will have to retie due to over correcting the first error, my conclusion is: a change in the ridgeline as small as ONE INCH can make a difference in how well you sleep. So: if not comfy, re-tie your ridgeline. I Humbly suggest you start with a ridge that seems too short & go up from there. It may take a few nights to fine tune it.

BTW: the ring buckle suppports are a great way to hang.

**slowhike** · 07-13-2007, 19:44

Originally Posted by Doctari

I Humbly suggest you start with a ridge that seems too short & go up from there. It may take a few nights to fine tune it.

sounds like an adjustable ridgeline might not be a bad idea?

**headchange4u** · 07-14-2007, 08:11

Originally Posted by slowhike

sounds like an adjustable ridgeline might not be a bad idea?

After reading Doctari's post I thought about a ridge line with loops tired every inch or so on one end of the ridge line. Using a small biner or quick link, just hook the ridge line on a different loop to adjust the length.

**Doctari** · 07-14-2007, 08:30

My ridge line is now back to it's original 8' 7.5" & I slept like a log last night.

I don't know how long my hammock is, it's a "Skeeter Beeter" I got from Sportsmans Guide. I think it (looks like) may be about 10' - 11' long or there about, counting the short atachment ropes.

Doctari.

**rigidpsycho** · 07-15-2007, 12:35

Question for all you guys who are former military personnel. I spent 6 years in the Army reserves and Ky national guard. I was wondering if what we called Ranger rope would be strong enough to use for a ridgeline?