hanging a hammock

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wanderinstar

On a new journey
Jun 14, 2005
1,346
9
72
Yorkshire/Lancs Border
Have ordered a hammock through Magikelly. Have got a question for all you experienced hammock users. When fixing it up, how taught do you have it? Also can a mozzie net be fitted to these hammocks.
Ian.
 
I'd guess it's down to personal preference, but I try to get it quite taught as once I get in there's enough give in the system to have it hang nicely. If you want a net, then you'll need to have another line above your hammock to hang it over.
 
I would suggest doing a search on hammocks. There has been a wealth of information presented by experienced users to help us lesser mortals regarding all things hammock.

As for tightness, you really want the hammock level, not too taught but not too slack either. It is a bit of trail and error really to find your own hammock kama.

As for mossi nets, well you can either makes your own and then sew it into the hammock (uisng fixings or zips) or purchase one that encloses the entire hammock.
 
The open hammock can be quite slack and still be comfortable. It is really personal preferance how tight you make it. Try various options and stick with what you like.

As to Mossy nets the Ray Mears Ecosystem one fits the group buy hammocks perfectly. The instructions with it are non existant so the best bet is to get a look at the Ecosystem DVD or have a look at someones set up. Once I am finished sending out all the hammocks I was going to start a thread "how do you hang your group buy hammock" so that people could post all the various ways they had decided to use theirs.
 
Get it as taught as possible and at about waist hieght. On the double skinned hammock, I would suggest you don't need a mozzy-net, in the UK the keep the bugs off fine (south of the border, may-sept, any way).
Neil
 
Neil1 said:
Get it as taught as possible and at about waist hieght. On the double skinned hammock, I would suggest you don't need a mozzy-net, in the UK the keep the bugs off fine (south of the border, may-sept, any way).
Neil

If you set the Ecosystem or Group Buy hammock as taught as possable you cannot really lie at an angle. Also when you get in the hammock tends to wrap round you like a pea in a pod.
 
Never had a problem with it, If you use a pea-pod sleep system, it works very well indeed. I normally use an ME TDS bag, this allows me to me around and get very comfy.
The Pea-Pod thing I am currently working on, I'll keep all posted on my progress.
Neil
 
YAY! now i don't have to ask lots of newbie questions when my hammock arrives as its already being discussed!

magikelly said:
Once I am finished sending out all the hammocks I was going to start a thread "how do you hang your group buy hammock" so that people could post all the various ways they had decided to use theirs

Thats a really good idea and i look forward to getting some pointers :D :D
 
wanderinstar said:
ARE YOU SURE YOU NEED TWO TREES. Would two skyhooks do instead?
Ian.
Nah, it's possible to hang one from one tree with two low branches. I suspect the same method would work with one branch, but stringing the basha would be a little more of a problem.
 
This question is kinda directed at Magikelly/John but is open to everyone obviously.

Having recieved my groupbuy hammock today I am curious as to the best method as to use it with climbing tape, tape I also got today. (12m of 20mm)

Should I be thinking about sewing some loops in the ends? ir is there a better way? Perhaps an alpine butterfly knot to get a loop?

Basically, whats the best way to attach the hammock to a tree.

I am rather fearful of waking up with a thud in the middle of the night.

Thanks and I appologise for asking so many questions.
 
the way i hang my hammock is like this.
i have two 5m long tapes with a 3" loop in one end. the tape is wrapped around the tree trunk and the free end is put through the loop. the tape is then pulled tight.
the hammock has tape through the ends with karabiners attached.
the karabiners are then attached to the tapes with a falconers knot suspending the hammock. this set up is very secure and quick to put up/take down.
 
andyn said:
This question is kinda directed at Magikelly/John but is open to everyone obviously.

Having recieved my groupbuy hammock today I am curious as to the best method as to use it with climbing tape, tape I also got today. (12m of 20mm)

Should I be thinking about sewing some loops in the ends? ir is there a better way? Perhaps an alpine butterfly knot to get a loop?

Basically, whats the best way to attach the hammock to a tree.

I am rather fearful of waking up with a thud in the middle of the night.

Thanks and I appologise for asking so many questions.

I recomend the same sort of set up as the ecosystem but attaching to the hooks instead of the rings.

Basically start with two tapes of whatever lenth you have. Tie one to each of your trees (or skyhooks :rolleyes: ), yes the trees first. Tie them on using a falconers knot. then tie the tapes to the hooks using a locked falconer's knot. That is a falconer's knot where a loop is pulled through the first loop to make it more secure. If you want to adjust the hieght of the hammock then do this by undoing and re-tying at the hooks. This means you are still working under the tarp. Reasons you may wish to adjust the hieght is that for weather protection you may want if high and near the tarp but for sitting and cooking etc you may want it lower.
 
Thanks for all your suggestions, it should keep me busy for a bit while I experiment.

John I have done a search for falconers knot and found the diagrams posted previously, so will give those a shot tonight as I think they will take me a little practice :D

Thanks.
 
Another great idea is to tie a length of string just below the tarp. Tied nice and tight, this gives you something to hang all your gear on as well as something to hang the two ends of the hammock on when you are taking it down. This prevents it touching the ground when you are untieing the knots and helps keep it clean and dry.
 
I've recently picked up one of the DD hammocks off ebay and an XXL basha from KT, so I've been out playing at the weekend...

I've cut the hammock tapes right down, tied them into loops, and attached karabiners and I use 2 5m x 50mm tapes to tie to trees. I tie the tree end using a slippery hitch (Evenk hitch, I believe), then pass the tape through the krab and tie it off using a mooring hitch. The mooring hitches can be adjusted to get the right tension / scoop, and then locked in place by pulling on the loop and the running side of tape. I did try using tautline hitches, but they don't seem to hold in tapes.

The mooring hitch is a great knot for this application, in my opinion. Easy to tie, easier to untie, slides easily in its sliding form but locks up so tight that it's easier to untie it than unlock it. Not putting fixed loops in your tapes keeps them available for other uses.

I keep looking at the falconers' knot, but I can't quite seem to get it right yet...
 

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