Hammock Advice From the Beckerheads?

crimsonfalcon07 said:
Needs an Off-Topic tag, JEEEZZZ :P
Click to expand...

I let this one ride because (a) interest began at a Gathering and (b) James is looking for advice from Beckerheads. The Supers might see fit to move, but I'm going to let it stay for now.
 
I really want a Hennessey Hammock but since I'm on a shoestring budget I use a super cheap and still well built travel hammock I got from Wal-Mart for $25 and use some ratchet straps for the suspension. It'll work until I get the cash I need for the Hennessey. I also have a cheap tarp I use for a rain fly if needed. Just use it for relaxing on a long woods outing but with a little modding I could see using it to sleep in on a short camping trip.
 
Guyon said:
I let this one ride because (a) interest began at a Gathering and (b) James is looking for advice from Beckerheads. The Supers might see fit to move, but I'm going to let it stay for now.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that. I certainly didn't mean to muddy the waters or waste anyone's time. :o
 
I really like my Warbonnet Blackbird with the Hammock gear under quilt. The webbing straps of the WBBB are really easy to setup even in the dark.



Jeremy
 
Seems to me that the straps and 'biners are pretty dang important to the whole set-up. I'm looking forward to hearing more about that, whether it's the ones that come with a certain hammock or aftermarket stuff.
 
I origanaly had the slap strap pro and really liked them but after about three years one of the loops riped off so no I'm just going to get some tubular climbing webbing and make my own straps
 
James, just FYI.. there is a hammock subforum on BCUSA. You might get good intel there. If you really want paralysis by analysis, check out hammockforums.net
 
Eno double nest. Todd has a couple he hangs occasionally in the shop, I've been planning to get one to allow a more modular setup to use when I don't need the full monty of the Hennessey Survivor that I already own.
 
We're just vanilla Hennessey folks. Started out with them about 20 years ago and haven't seen the need to look elsewhere. There are some great setups out there though.
 
does she like your hammock or does she want a skeeter net?
"double wide" hammocks are 54-72" wide instead of 38" for a "single" -- and are MUCH easier to lay diagonal on for a "flatter lay"
it's hard to beat the price on the one I loaned you. (which appears to be a clone of my $70 Trek Lite double)
if she wants a skeeter net, Byers of Maine makes a low end "double wide" with net for about $55 rated for 250 pounds, Grand Trunk makes one for $60-70 rated for 300 pounds or so (skeeter beeeter pro).

I like Camp Nano carabiners - and use them to replace the factory hooks. a 6-pack should run less than $40.
I make my tree straps out of 2" wide seat belt webbing from the surplus store. 15' is enough for 2 straps with 4" loops on each end.
1000 pound rated 1" wide poly webbing works well for straps going from hammock to tree strap if you need it. (i like the 12' long "lashing straps" from HF or 6.5' long 1200 pound rated cinch straps when weight and space are not a huge concern.)
poly webbing doesn't stretch signifcantly under load, nylon can stretch up to 40% of its length.
amsteel blue is good stuff for whoopie slings when weight and space are a permium. lash-it is good stuff for ridge lines.
Etowah makes a good tarp -- I use the 10x12 for all season camping as it allows me to "close in" the ends in the winter or in strong storms, it's long enough to cover the entire hammock, and I can raise one side up to use as a porch awning in warm, dry weather.
 
I was I the market for a new one man tent, never considered the whole hammock thing but now I'm seriously reconsidering, especially since a good Hennessy set up is half the price of the MSR Hubba NX I was looking at..
 
What 1066vik said.

i'm using a grand trunk ultra light hammock,
Straps from strapworks 1 inch heavy polyester.
Buckles from dutchweargear.
Newriver underquilt from AHE.
I've slept in this down to 25*.
 
Last edited:
definitely! watch shugs videos and you will have a superb intro to the ins and outs of hammocking.

I have an ENO doublenest but I mostly use a home made double layer one. Suspension is tree huggers and whoopie slings. Tarp is the bcusa one.

---
Beckerhead 42
 
I use an ENO single nest, and I suspend it using a marlin spike hitch so I don't have to carry any carabiners. See Doc Canada's video on the marlin spike hitch, and I think Shug has a video showing this method.

For my final semester of grad school, I actually slept in the hammock full time to save myself the hassle of hauling a trailer with my bed to an apartment I would be staying in for only a few months. The problem I had at first was that I had always slept on my belly and the hammock requires you to sleep on your back. Well, I can confirm that is indeed possible to retrain yourself to be a back sleeper. After a couple weeks of sleeping in the hammock every night, I could sleep just fine in the hammock all night.

I use a ten dollar harbor freight tarp which works just fine, though I intend to upgrade to something lighter at some point.

DSC00530_zps7d3dc149.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top