Ridgeline length confusion.

**Bushwhacker** · 03-19-2014, 13:05

So I've been having a bit of difficulty with my ridgeline. On the first day I hung my hammock I found a great ridgeline length. But that was a weird set up as I hadn't yet split my UCRs into two pieces (see attached photo - it looks like I have 2 ridgelines, but the upper one is really just my suspension). It was a really comfortable hammock. So I kept the knots from that hang, split the ridgeline, and tried it again. It was horrible. The hammock was completely taut, and the ridgeline was loose. So I put in an 83% length knot. That gave too much slack. Is there anything intrinsically special about keeping your suspension connected?
IMG_20140311_173029.jpg

Actually now that I look at it again, the suspension was at a better angle in that first hang. Does that make a difference?

**MAD777** · 03-19-2014, 13:23

I like the idea of using a whoopie sling for the ridgeline. I use yellow Zing-it and mark off 6" increments with a black sharpie (2 tick marks at even feet & 1 tick mark at 1/2 foot interval). Them I set it at either a short or long extreme and work my way through adjusting it about 3" at a time. When I pass the point where it felt "right", I back up 1" at a time to dial it in. At that point, you can measure your ridgeline and replace it with a non-adjustable ridgeline of the same length.

In your picture, i noticed the the hammock was unfinished and whipped. Just wondering if something slipped there between hangs?

**Nodust** · 03-19-2014, 13:29

Was the head lower than the feet or the same in each hang? That makes a big difference to me without changing RL length.

I got my son to tighten the ridgeline while I lay in the hammock until it feels right.

**Rockyathabaska** · 03-21-2014, 12:42

Stopper knots. Can't find any links to handy knots for hanging hammocks

**MGLion** · 03-24-2014, 15:09

Originally Posted by Rockyathabaska

Stopper knots. Can't find any links to handy knots for hanging hammocks

Try this site. www.animatedknots.com

**MattBigmonster** · 03-24-2014, 15:56

With the ridgeline you can go two ways.
To steep so the ridgeline is slack and not doing anything - baggy lay.
to shallow so the ridge line is under too much tension, theoretically you have the right amount of sag but you risk damage to the ridgeline. I personally hate that bouncy, tense feeling like on a rope bridge.

**Bushwhacker** · 03-25-2014, 11:30

Originally Posted by MAD777

I like the idea of using a whoopie sling for the ridgeline. I use yellow Zing-it and mark off 6" increments with a black sharpie (2 tick marks at even feet & 1 tick mark at 1/2 foot interval). Them I set it at either a short or long extreme and work my way through adjusting it about 3" at a time. When I pass the point where it felt "right", I back up 1" at a time to dial it in. At that point, you can measure your ridgeline and replace it with a non-adjustable ridgeline of the same length.

In your picture, i noticed the the hammock was unfinished and whipped. Just wondering if something slipped there between hangs?

Actually you're right. It did slip. Thanks!

**Loki** · 03-28-2014, 10:05

also, try this site

http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-hang-calculator/

**PDA** · 03-31-2014, 20:54

This video is by Warbonnet Guy, who makes what are probably the best you can buy. look at 4min 30 sec for the section on ridgeline tension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWlM0pROnpU

Very clear and precise.Hope it helps

**Bushwhacker** · 04-10-2014, 19:39

Originally Posted by PDA

This video is by Warbonnet Guy, who makes what are probably the best you can buy. look at 4min 30 sec for the section on ridgeline tension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWlM0pROnpU

Very clear and precise.Hope it helps

Wait - Attroll is Brandon?!?!?! Isn't he a mod of this site? And his tarp is a MacCat Ultra Spinn?!?!?!?

I think I'm going to go make up some questionable conspiracy theories....