Opinions on hammocks

[The General]

It it possible to buy one that can withstand a very heavy person like myself? I put the Xtra in XXL no kidding.

I don't want to buy a hammock and find it fall to bits...

Thanks!

 

[leon-1]

Don't see why not, the military use hammocks extensively in jungle environments and some of these guys are not exactly small or lite.

 

[Stuart]

The Safari Deluxe hennesy hammock will take your weight I should imagine

we tested one with Jack, Tony and myself in it all at the same time

its worth point out here that I have recently discovered a short coming with the hennesy hammocks

if you weight more than about 12 stone I would not recommend using a ultralight HH not because the hammock can not structurally hold your weight (it can easily) but because with more than this weight in a HH ultrlight the hammock begins to sag so far below the tarp (which is fixed to the line and so does not drop with weight as much as the hammock body does) that you are no longer protected from the elements

Lee (who must be around 15 stone) and my self (I'm 12 stone) set up two HH ultralites end to end in the same location

During the night it rained heavily I stayed nice and dry Lee got soaked

The safari is not effected by this problem as its tarp is HUGE but bear in mind with the other models that the maximum weight specified refers to structural strength but you may find that as you approach these limits you are no longer sufficiently protected by the trap

 

[jakunen]

Hmm, well that puts paid to my idea of trying to get up to 13st!
Where's the best place to but an HH?
I've tried Womble's one and I'd like to get one for 'lightweight' trips.

 

[Stuart]

Dave at wildlife sell's the ultralights:
www.wildernessliving.co.uk

and woodland organics sells the expedition:
www.woodlandorganics.co.uk

 

[Womble]

I've noticed sag as being something to take into account on a HH.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get the Safari model Tarp seperatly from the hammock itself?

 

[jakunen]

Cheers guys.
Not looked on those sites yet, but as I'm sooo busy at work right now <pushes nose back to original size before it smashes monitor>, give me a few minutes...

 

[jakunen]

Not sure if it's coz Dave is updating his site, or I'm being blind, but can't seem to fimd the 'shop' on Wilderness...

 

[Womble]

"Where's the best place to but an HH?"

"<pushes nose back to original size before it smashes monitor>"

That'll teach you to but an HH.

 

[jakunen]

Ok Womble...
I meant BUY goddammit!
That's the troubel with typing whilst swallowing painkillers that taste REAL nasty...

 

[Ed]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get the Safari model Tarp seperatly from the hammock itself?

Yes they are ... in both pu coated and the untralight sil nylon types. Hennessy can also custom build a hammock to your specs if you contact them, or you can buy parts individualy


Ed

 

[Womble]

Brilliant.

Cheers Ed!

 

[Jamie]

yeah, the 'oversize' fly is called the hex fly....

 

[Womble]

Email to HH sent off for information about the hex fly

$59(US) is the price.

 

[The General]

Looks like I will have to get the Safari model then! :-D

I was quite interested as I have never used a hammock before and was looking for an alternative to a ground mat and thermorest lux model mat.

 

[Stuart]

I've noticed sag as being something to take into account on a HH.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get the Safari model Tarp seperatly from the hammock itself?

it is possible to buy the safari tarp seperatly

 

[Womble]

At the weekend I discovered that the method I was using to put up my Hammock was fundamentally flawed, and was what was causing the sagging.

When tensioning the hammock, I was leaving the tarp connected at both ends. This meant that the tarp was taking up all the slack rather the central chord and the hammock itself, which was of course still slightly slack. As a result the tarp was being unnecessarily stretched (BAD move...), and the hammock body would simply sag when got into.

After re-tensioning with one end of the tarp not attached I found that the sag when in use was far less noticable (from 4-6 inches ground clearace to almost a foots worth), and the hammock more comfortable overall.

On the whole I think I was rather lucky not to have damaged the tarp sheet. :-?

It seems that every time I use the hammock something seems to crop up to spoil the enjoyment... on the other hand, I'm overcoming each one of them as they happen, so soon I'll get the full benefits of it!

 

[jakunen]

Including letting a mate try it out who falls asleep for a few hours...
They are dammed comfortable...

 

[Roving Rich]

Well i'm using an ultralight backpacker HH, (/which i bought from Dave @ Wild life survival/wilderness living) and i am well over 13 stone (I carry lots of "survival muscle") I have never had a sagging problem. Quite the opposite infact, i am looking at stringing a second line to lift the tarp up a bit, to allow better airflow and view. The other thing iam considering is replaceing the tarp with an ozzy basha, so if i cannot string the hammock i have a very versatile basha as an alternative.

Cheers
Rich

 

[Womble]

I was thinking along the same lines, maybe using a poncho or hoochie lookalike to replace the asym tarp.

No response from HH about the Hex fly supertarp as yet.