distance between sit height and ridge line

[moos]

I know there are some people here with math backgrounds. How do you guys calculate this?

If you take the standard ratio of ridgeline:hammock length of 83%, the distance of the lowest point of the hammock to the ridgeline length should be definable as either a function of ridgeline length or hammock length. I don't think the shape of the hammock when loaded is a catenary curve as you are laying diagonally and at least attempting to lay flat, right? I would guess that the shape when sitting is closer to an isosceles trapezoid with the bottom length being the width of your backside and the shape when laying is an isosceles trapezoid with a bottom length equal to your diagonal lay length (plus some fudge for not laying completely flat.)

Among other things, I'm trying to back into strap height and I'm getting significantly different results than dejoha's calculator (~56in vs ~72in for a 89.5in ridgeline on a 15 foot tree span) I'm thinking that this is the most likely place I might be screwing up since everything else should be basic trig functions.

I'm calculating more things than the calculator provides, so that's why I'm doing it on my own.

[Shewie]

Eh, I just sit down, if my feet reach the ground it's a bonus

[pgibson]

Eh, I just sit down, if my feet reach the ground it's a bonus

Plus 1

set hammock up, lay down to check comfort....wake up some time later, swing legs out, if feet touch ground stand up if not lay back down and sleep it off.

[goobie]

Here's all the calculations you need.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/a...9&d=1257348310

It's hammock camping, not trig class

[Catavarie]

Uhhh.....GRIZZ!!!!



I just hang it and sit in it and hope I don't hit the ground.

[dejoha]

It's hammock camping, not trig class

I love this Goobie!

I wrote a post long ago on a simple hang method: 3 paces, reach head high, and hang. It doesn't need to get any more complicated than that.

The Hang Calculator is a handy tool and very helpful in places like calculating an indoor hang or experimenting with load calculations, etc. It doesn't factor dynamic variables and a lot can change in the field depending on materials used, etc. It is meant as a simple estimator, really.

Years ago I thought I could calculate the "golden ratio" for hammock size based on several factors and I tried different experiments to validate my conclusions. In the end, I discovered that it doesn't matter Folks tend to like what they like and it breaks any kind of calculation. Hanging really is subjective. There are some tips and techniques that generally make things work well, but if you find something that works for you, stick with it.

For example, while the 30° rule is generally accepted, I find that I get a better, flatter lay with smaller hammocks with a tighter pitch (<30°). Big hammocks, like the currently-popular tablecloth hammock, I hang at a more exxagerated angle (>30°) for more comfort.

[ibgary]

Ok, while were on this subject, let me ask where does the 83% come from?
It looks like it is the ridge line length that makes for a 30* angle between the hammock and the Srl. That makes sense if trying to protect the hammock from being over stressed by low angle supports.

[moos]

Wow, not the reaction I was expecting, especially since there are threads here about using Matlab to numerically solve catenary cut solutions. I had a few minutes of free time to spare at work, sheesh.

It is meant as a simple estimator, really.

That's all I'm after, and I'm almost 20 inches off where you are. Just trying to figure out what gives. What I'm ultimately after is tarp square footage coverage and getting the hammock as close up into the tarp as possible with fewer runs of trial and error, but I need to establish tarp ridge line height properly to do it. The height of the hammock lines affect that.

[Woolman]

Most of us just “eyeball it”.

But I take my hat off to your dedication to perfection (then I put my hat back on because it’s cold up here in Canada and I’m bald)

[MAD777]

It's about 2.5 feet.
Hammock lengths vary, percent of ridgeline varies, stretch of materials vary, but if you use 2.5 feet you'll be correct within a couple of inches one way or the other.