Hammocks

[flipside]

hi everyone

i decided that it would be nice to get away from a a tent and start hammock camping. The hammock that i bought was not pre-roped (not sure if that is a word) it was a flat sheet with double stitched seams at the ends for the rope to go through. I have put the rope through and tried to make a loop at both ends of the hammock as anchor points which has not worked i have fallen down more times than i can count it is like a scene from monty python.

Anybody got any advice on this i would greatly appreciate it

Many thanks in advance

Flip

[outdoorgirl]

Sounds like you need a straight wooden or metal pole through the double stitched seams, not just rope. Got any pics, or a link of what you bought?

ODG

[flipside]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&item=280015182142&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

the pictures are not very good

cheers

flip

[Nigel]

Hi Flipside,

Is that the one that you bought? It’s very cheap, I have made a few myself and the cost of the materials was a lot more than £13.00. I might get one just to see what it is like.

Nigel

[Tadpole]

Getting into a hammock is quite tricky until you learn the knack

Lots of site will give you a “how to” most with pictures
My way is to sit on one edge of the hammock with the other edge high up my back. Allow my weight to settle into the hammock as I rotate my body and swing my legs up. I continue twisting until my legs are lifted into the hammock and then leaning back until I am completely in. Same for getting out

[flipside]

i can get in and out no bother but the knots give way and i arrive back on terra firma faster than i hoped. i have looped rope into the ends through the stitched seams and it seems to be failing at that point.

many thanks

flip

[Neanderthal]

I'm using a good old fashioned bowline through the ends of mine.
If it's the stitching that is failing try tying the material to the ropes using a sheet bend.

[morch]

If its the ropes that are failing, why not thread two carabiners through the material instead of the rope?

Dave

[falcon]

If I'm reading this right at this time of night........whether with or without Karribiners...... what I do is take both straps from the hammock around the tree tieing the first part of a surgeons knot as you go (like a shoe-knot only with an extra twist) then back to the front of the tree on the hammock side and do the same again only this time finishing it off with the final part of the shoe-lace knot (reef bow)...adding a further half hitch if you wish.

I'm not the world's most experienced hammock user but this has held my 14 ish stone of weight with no problems. In the absence of a picture I hope this makes sense....... :)

[flipside]

hi everyone

thanks for your ideas, morch the karbiners work a treat, but i am going to put webbing straps through the ends of it and sew them with a machine so that they form a tight loop at the end. Was not aware that my mum had a sewing machine

your help has been more than appreciated


flip

[crazydave]

flip - dont fix anything - keep the rope/strap free running through the ends as it gives you more variety in its use. I've worn mine as a sarong on occasion when the opportunity of a shower and kit wash became available :)

I made the mistake of putting a knot in one of mine and it restricted the tree widthe I could go for.

[flipside]

another good point but mine is to big for a sarong and in army green i might look like a turtle that is lost, i have the ray mears ecosystem dvd and from what i can see he has put webbing through the end of his hammock and this attaches to an metal O ring from these O rings there is a webbing strap of which i am not sure of the length but it is considerable and it adjusts through these O rings to provide the correct height,

hope this makes sense

Flip

[crazydave]

nowt wrong with and 8'x3' sarong :D

[Goose]

I have the mosquito expedition hammock and it is roped the same as yours, mine has a built in mossy net but the site gives instructions that should work for you.http://www.mosquitohammock.com/hammockknots.html

[dommyracer]

That example looks good, but I think I would use a double figure of eight rather than a bowline. It is a stronger knot than the Bowline, and generally accepted to be easier to get right and easier to untie.

[flipside]

fantastic site i was never able to tie knots very good but this site makes it clear and simple

many thanks


flip

[Simon E]

Knots can be very addictive. One of my favouite passtimes is on the sofa with a hot coffee, the wife and monster (my 3yr old) out and some 3,6 & 8 mm cord.

This is a very nice book, good illustrations and a large variety of useful knots.

Knots (amazon) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1571459812/sr=1-19/qid=1156653434/ref=sr_1_19/102-9080434-3840127?ie=UTF8&s=books)

or, if you are of the 'If a jobs worth doing....' crowd, then this is widely accepted as the knot bible.

Knot bible (Ashley) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385040253/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_1/102-9080434-3840127?ie=UTF8)

[flipside]

simon e
i would not even start it i can get addicted to the most simple of things it drives my wife nuts he he he

flip

[Ogri the trog]

Flip,
Try www.imrisk.com for loads of information on hammock camping. Theres good photo sequences of the "Four wrap" and Improved four wrap knots for attaching your hammock to anything ;)

ATB

Ogri the trog

[flipside]

thanks everybody for your help

i think i am going to sack it and buy a hennessy hammock,

Flip

[PJMCBear]

I did exactly that.

With regard to tying it up to the trees. Thread the rope through the huggers and secure with a couple of hitches or an evenk. Don't bother with the lashing that the makers suggest. I'm 15 st and it holds me no problem. Never ended up back on tera firma.

[dommyracer]

thanks everybody for your help

i think i am going to sack it and buy a hennessy hammock,

Flip

Was it that bad?

[Mr_Rimps]

.... what I do is take both straps from the hammock around the tree tieing the first part of a surgeons knot as you go (like a shoe-knot only with an extra twist) then back to the front of the tree on the hammock side and do the same again only this time finishing it off with the final part of the shoe-lace knot (reef bow)...adding a further half hitch if you wish.


I do pretty much the same Falcon. I just wrap the straps in opposite directions around the tree, no surgeons knot and then wrap both ends around the straps coming from the hammock, to bring them together, and finsh off like tying shoe laces. Never had a problem.