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Lets talk hammocks
- Thread starter GCTerpfan
- Start date
I got the EWO and haven't found any reason to look and any other makes and models. I'd order another if mine messed up or if my wife wanted 1
Tarps... There are very many to choose from, and from a basic perspective, a rainfly and a tarp are a bit different although essentially used for the same purpose in this scenario. For a mid-priced tarp I would recommend checking out Aquaquest, as the build quality is awesome and they have three different weights (I do own a Safari). I personally chose a tarp over a rainfly because it offers more coverage/protection and is capable of being used for other non-hammock purposes.
If you don't have a hammock with an integrated bugnet (highly recommended), I would think about integrating a full ridgeline into your system. That will give you more space and be easier on the bug net!
Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
I just picked up a separate bug net on Amazon yesterday and tested it out with an independent ridgeline (above the hammock not connected to the straps). Worked very well! I wish the bug net had an interior hook to hang a light but eh a headlamp will do.
Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
What rope and/or material do you folks prefer for your ridgeline? I could use paracord but I don’t like the way it stretches, and as it’s nylon, even less do I like the idea of it stretching out when wet and sagging in the rain when I’d be trying to stay dry under a tarp.
I picked up some SGT Knots arborist line, i.e. dyneema knock-off DynaGlide. I think it could work well but I was surprised by the tiny diameter.
I picked up some SGT Knots arborist line, i.e. dyneema knock-off DynaGlide. I think it could work well but I was surprised by the tiny diameter.
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rambotogo
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2017
- Messages
- 444
Need the ridgeline to tie to your loops off both ends of your hammock . If you are not sure you can make ridgeline with a trucker hitch so you can get your sag just right . Check website Hammockforums .net lots of info there . good luck
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2018
- Messages
- 3,929
What Rambotogo said. I *think* the static ridgeline length you’re looking for is 83% of your hammock length.
If you need to know, the static ridgeline is connected to each end of your hammock. Basically, it takes the strain of both straps and leaves the hammock itself free to hang below. This is a quick sketch I did on my phone so……
The top is no static ridgeline which applies all the force of the hang down the straps and through the hammock to your center of gravity. This makes your body want to conform and leads to more of a banana effect for you.
The bottom is with the static ridgeline and it keeps all the strain of the hang above the hammock and allows for a level hang, especially when your hammock is big enough side to side to allow for a diagonal lay. The static ridgeline also allows you to hang a light or whatever from it and also will keep a bug net above and off of you.
If you need to know, the static ridgeline is connected to each end of your hammock. Basically, it takes the strain of both straps and leaves the hammock itself free to hang below. This is a quick sketch I did on my phone so……
The top is no static ridgeline which applies all the force of the hang down the straps and through the hammock to your center of gravity. This makes your body want to conform and leads to more of a banana effect for you.
The bottom is with the static ridgeline and it keeps all the strain of the hang above the hammock and allows for a level hang, especially when your hammock is big enough side to side to allow for a diagonal lay. The static ridgeline also allows you to hang a light or whatever from it and also will keep a bug net above and off of you.
Amsteel typically, although Zing-it etc. works well! Check out Dutchware and look at their options!
The_Fit_Ness_Monster
Well-Known Member
Paracord works fine, I tie a sliding prussic or something similar to one end and if it loosens just tighten easily, I tie it from tree to tree that the hammock is on.
I've been thru some pretty bad storms.... 550 does stretch out but hasn't let me down yet..... Truckers hitch mechanical advantage allows u to get that sucker tight
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2021
- Messages
- 4,974
PMI cord at REI and use a friction hitch with a small carabiner, instead of a truckers tie off. It won’t stretch, same size as paracord and quick/easy adjustable ridge line attachment
Put it's missing the most important quality of all....I don't own it already
Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
@dalton916 thanks for the illustration. Before I saw that I was definitely referring to a non-static/non-structural ridgeline independent of the hammock. After doing some research I’m really intrigued to add a static/structural ridgeline to the hammock itself to add proper sag for comfort. For that I’d definitely want to go the route as @Fl Canopy Stalker said and get some rated accessory cord at REI.
I figure I’ll also add an independent non-structural line above for the bug net and tarp made from my dyneema throwline.
I figure I’ll also add an independent non-structural line above for the bug net and tarp made from my dyneema throwline.
Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
I was playing around with paracord and a truckers hitch. It is surprising how tight you can pull that
Go thru the loop twice before u pull and it auto locks
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2018
- Messages
- 3,929
@Marmuzz the difference is night and day. As for the tarp you definitely need a separate ridgeline for it, but I suggest using the structural ridgeline for your bug net. You want your tarp higher and therefore further away from you because winds will blow it in and you don’t want it slapping you. Also, you want to have room to move around under it. At the same time you want the bug net close so as to minimize the amount of material you need. Anything more than going over the structural line is waste AND makes it harder to seal on the ends.
Let me dig around and see if I can find something that shows how I made mine.
ETA: here ya go, I would just buy this one.
hammockgear.com
That’s identical to the one I made. If you already have the material on hand I would say go ahead and see it up, but to keep the skeeters and others out without having to see mesh that’s a good price.
Basically you stick the hammock up through the bottom hole and then run each end out. The net conches on the ends to seal and the bottom access snugs up against the hammock to seal. The bottom hole is elastic so to get out you just reach down and pull the opening up then step through it. Nifty.
Oh, I use amsteel, but 550 will work for the structural ridgeline just fine. It will be very taut when you’re in it and that’s the only time it really matters.
Let me dig around and see if I can find something that shows how I made mine.
ETA: here ya go, I would just buy this one.
Bottom Entry Bug Net
Snooze in peace with a new bottom entry hammock bug net. This hanging bug net screen encloses you within your hammock and keeps those annoying pests out.
hammockgear.com
That’s identical to the one I made. If you already have the material on hand I would say go ahead and see it up, but to keep the skeeters and others out without having to see mesh that’s a good price.
Basically you stick the hammock up through the bottom hole and then run each end out. The net conches on the ends to seal and the bottom access snugs up against the hammock to seal. The bottom hole is elastic so to get out you just reach down and pull the opening up then step through it. Nifty.
Oh, I use amsteel, but 550 will work for the structural ridgeline just fine. It will be very taut when you’re in it and that’s the only time it really matters.
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I probably won't get to it today but I gotta set up my system sometime soon to make sure it's still in good condition and ready for deer season.....I'll take some pics when that happens...I use the hammock straps to hang the hammock, 1 tree to tree line for the bug net and a 2nd tree to tree for the rain cover. I swapping out some lines for reflective/glow in the dark ones. I also have a netting hammock that's kinda like a cast net I found somewhere along the way....I take that along also and set it up underneath my sleeping hammock and it holds all my gear suspended up off the ground
