Building a hammock stand...

[sam4msu]

I need to know how long to make it. I have ordered a Speer Hammock which will be here this week. What is the optimum distance between supports?
Thanks for any help you all can offer.
Sam

[jlb2012]

just enough distance between supports so that you can pitch your tarp the way you want it

[Dutch]

When you say between the supports I think you mean the total length of the fabric. I have one that is 8.5 foot and another that is 10 feet in length. It is hard to get diagonal and lay flat with the 8.5. I have seen some with longer than 10 feet, but then you have to have a big tarp to cover it. At 6 foot tall I think the optimum for me is 10 feet.

[sam4msu]

Well I made the stand 12 feet and it is just about perfect. My hammock came in today and I took about an hour nap in it...I love it. My only problem that I will have to figure out is how to get out of it without just pouring myself out onto the ground!!! I anticipate loving this hammock thing!!!

[slowhike]

Well I made the stand 12 feet and it is just about perfect. My hammock came in today and I took about an hour nap in it...I love it. My only problem that I will have to figure out is how to get out of it without just pouring myself out onto the ground!!! I anticipate loving this hammock thing!!!

you'll learn to "spin" around to hang your feet off one side (like sitting in a chair).
then you may need to swing a little to get your feet under you so you can just stand up.