Structural Ridgeline slacks when I get in.. I'm embarrassed

**flashbang009** · 05-20-2012, 12:35

I just made a gathered end hammock per Knotty's instructions, and went to attach my ridgeline. I use cinch buckles with webbing attached to the hammock with the triangles on a loop (I forget where I bought them). As soon as I climb in , the ridgeline goes completely slack. I remember having this problem on my old suspension setup, forgot what fixed it. I have the loop on the ridgeline slipped over the suspension just like in Knotty's video.

I'm kinda frustrated because I know it's something I'm overlooking. I tried the suspension loose and tight. Total hammock length is 126, ridgeline is 106.

Thanks.

**flashbang009** · 05-20-2012, 12:43

Hahah I figured it out, I was hanging from a smaller branch and it was bending towards the hammock as I laid in it, thus causing slack. :P Told ya I was embarrassed.

**BillyBob58** · 05-20-2012, 20:43

Originally Posted by flashbang009

Hahah I figured it out, I was hanging from a smaller branch and it was bending towards the hammock as I laid in it, thus causing slack. :P Told ya I was embarrassed.

My 1st thought was that either your suspension is stretching or the trees flexing. Glad you figured it out easily enough.

**Bubba** · 05-20-2012, 22:58

If it happens again with bigger trees it means you need to shorten up your suspension a little.

**nk14zp** · 05-26-2012, 18:46

How do you determine the correct length for the structural ridge line? Is it just trial and error until you like it?

**DemostiX** · 05-26-2012, 19:04

Start at about 5/6th = 83% the length of the arc between the points the structural ridgeline is connected to. +7 -3 is the likely range you will find comfort at. For a 10 foot hammock, thats likely around 100 inches.

Imagine a really taut horizontal rope strung between two piers so tight it barely bends under a load. Now hang your hammock from that horizontal rope so securely the ends don't slip inward, as they want to do do. The ridgeline is the length between the connections.

Add some cord between the ends of the hammock and that taut horizontal rope, maybe some loops through the channels, so the hammock is part of a longer arc. The ridgeline length will need to be proportionately increased for the arc to have the same curve an you the same comfort.

**tyler73** · 05-28-2012, 17:34

So sag being a subjective variable....

Ridgeline length = hammock length * 83%

I'm trying to get my enough dn setup with SRL for tarping/bug net needs.

**flashbang009** · 05-28-2012, 18:08

Originally Posted by tyler73

So sag being a subjective variable....

Ridgeline length = hammock length * 83%

I'm trying to get my enough dn setup with SRL for tarping/bug net needs.

Correct! I found recently that my setup at home was actually at 74% and I thought it was at 83%... funny.. I really like it! So yes it's subjective in many senses.

**Noodle** · 06-11-2014, 18:19

OK so I'm reviving an old thread because I just added an ASR to hammock.

Not a ton of slack when I'm in the hammock but enough to annoy a little ocd in me.

I have it set at 93" and that is the 83% of the hammock length.
Using this with a home stand so there is a little bow to it when I'm in it. To get the ridgeline taught should I shorten it? Or should I just deal with it as is for outdoor use.

I can't raise the whoopie anchor height more than the roughly 54" height due to the limitations of the stand.

**Nodust** · 06-12-2014, 00:15

You just have more sag than the ridgeline is long. Not sure if I worded that correctly. Try with less of a hang angle. See what happens. You can tighten up a RL with a butterfly knot and untie that easily also.

I would do some more testing outside and see where your comfort is. I normally like my ridge lines longer than the83%. Just preference.