Noob DIY Q

[FlyGuy22]

I got bit by the DIY bug and have completed a hammock and several stuff sacks. Once i layed in the hammock i noticed it was taut in the middle and loose on the sides, so i undid the whipping and pulled the sides a bit. This has fixed the floppy sides but it is still taut in the middle. I tried hanging it with a structual ridge line and suceeded in making it more comfortable, but the tightness in the middle is still there. Any suggestions are appreciated
the hammock is made from 1.9oz(i think?) ripstop and is 12'L and 59"W ( before sewing and whipping )
Thanks in advance

[Catavarie]

If it is uncomfortable then you may need to increase the sag by either raising the tree straps or lengthening the suspension. If you made the ridge line adjustable, try shortening it a bit more as well.

There is going to be a certain amount of tightness to the mid line of the hammock as it is supporting your body. If it is not causing discomfort (or the dreaded calf ridge) then it may be fine.

It sounds as if your hammock may be pulled a bit tight to me, but I'm no expert.

[MAD777]

I make my hammocks with an adjustable ridgeline. I start testing with the ridgeline set long. There is always a pronounced ridge in the center. I then begin shortening the ridgeline bit by not until the ridge goes away. I then replace the adjustable ridgeline with a fixed one.

However, the "tightness" for lack of a better word, doesn't go away. That is the hammock bottom pushing back on you to support your weight.

[FlyGuy22]

It's more of a pronounced ridge than a tightness. Thanks for the correct terminology. I will experiment with the ridgeline length this week. Thanks for the help!

[gmcttr]

Can we assume you are laying on the diagonal rather then inline with the hammock?

[gargoyle]

Try a different hang location. If your trees are far apart (+17 feet) it can a bit of extra fiddlin' to get things right, 'specially at first.

And I agree with the others, Let it sag.

[samiam2714]

A photo or video may also help

[FlyGuy22]

It's present laying inline and diagonal. i wanted to make sure it wasnt my method of whipping, or poor sewing skills lol.
I will try to take some detailed pics today to help illustrate.

[Knotty]

That tautness sounds like the classic, and dreaded, calf ridge pressure which shows up in many hammocks, so you probably didn't do anything wrong. Longer and wider hammocks seem to minimize the issue. To deal with it in an existing hammock, you can play with structural ridgeline length (as has been suggested) or adjust where your center of gravity is. You can do that by moving your butt side to side and also by moving it front to rear. Front to rear is best accomplished by hanging the hammock higher at the foot end.

Play with it and you'll find your sweet spot.

[FlyGuy22]

Sorry it has taken so long for me to respond. I blame a busy work schedule, and the fine tuning of this hammock. Since fixing the problem i find myself at work or in the hammock, leaving little time for anything else LOL. Thank you all for the ridgeline advice, that seemed to clear the issue up. The hammock is now much more comfortable!
I will post some pics of the hammock and some stuff sacks i've made in another thread, i understand if i don't post pics it didn't really happen LOL.
Thank you all again for the great advice!