First hammock for a fat guy

[Gresh]

I wish I could say that money is no option, but I'd be a dirty, dirty liar.

So looking around for a hammock that would support me and everything that's built in to me (bringing me in at a svelte and sexy 366 lbs), I came across this little guy:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/camping-Para...item3a7985bf66

Any opinions?

[HURTHEART]

YOU are not out much, the "Seller has a lot of negative, and neutral feed back. Pretty shakey dealer. If you purchase you can send it back, file a complaint with paypal or ebay. You might get something useful for you to get started with, probably will not last very long, but give you an idea if you want to hang.

My suggestion is to be sure not to hang it very far off the ground, and besure there is nothing under the hammock that will hurt you if you fall. I always move rocks and sticks out of the way just incase something fails. Also if you purchase it check it over carefully each time you use it.

ENO's go up to 400 pounds, both the single and double. They are kind of a known brand that does stand behind their product. You could also make your own hammock.

A guy gave me his REI tent that he lost the poles for, something like that can be used to make a tent, old parashoots give you gobs of nylon to work with.

Check the trees you are going to hang from carefully, you do not want them coming down.

[Gresh]

Well, I haven't bought it yet, so at the moment I'm out nothing...and to hear you say, it doesn't seem like I'd do well to go with an "Ebay Special," as I'll call it.

I considered making my own, but I need to invest in a sewing machine first. It parachute nylon worth a **** on it's own, or would I need to double (or even triple) the layers?

[oldgringo]

That's a pretty small hammock for a big guy...I don't think you'll be happy with it.

[SilvrSurfr]

Check out a tablecloth hammock. It's long (126"), cheap ($12.99 per hammock blank), and strong.

Here's a thread on them.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...leclothfactory

I made a double-layer with two tablecloths. I'd imagine a double-layer would easily hold a 500 lb. man.

[Gresh]

Check out a tablecloth hammock. It's long (126"), cheap ($12.99 per hammock blank), and strong.

Here's a thread on them.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...leclothfactory

I made a double-layer with two tablecloths. I'd imagine a double-layer would easily hold a 500 lb. man.

Going back to this post, when you say you made a double-layer...does that mean you stacked two and ran a new hem around both of them?

If so, what are your thoughts about running them hem around the two short dimensions and one of the long ones, leaving an opening between the two layers to accommodate a pad or other layer for cold weather?

[SilvrSurfr]

Going back to this post, when you say you made a double-layer...does that mean you stacked two and ran a new hem around both of them?

If so, what are your thoughts about running them hem around the two short dimensions and one of the long ones, leaving an opening between the two layers to accommodate a pad or other layer for cold weather?

Yes, exactly. I thought I had posted a video of my double-layer tableclothfactory hammock, but apparently I did that in my mind.

I basically modeled my tablecloth double layer on the Buttinasling double layer. I bought one of the first prototypes, but I doubt the design has changed much.

I hemmed the two tablecloths together, leaving a 28" opening in the middle of one side (126-28/2 were my measurements from the ends). My BIAS DL prototype has the opening at the top of one side, and I always have a hard time finding the opening - I basically have to check all four corners to find the darned opening. With the pad opening in the middle, I only have to check one side or the other for the pad opening. Like I said, my BIAS DL is an early prototype - I don't know if they changed the design.

Once the two tablecloths were sewn together (single stitch), I then made a 2 inch channel on both ends (triple-stitched like the BIAS). Whipping just doesn't make any sense to me - that ball of fabric just looks ridiculous. I like sewn channels because I can adjust the way the fabric bunches up (not that I ever do) by just loosening the larkshead on the continuous loop running through the channel. Some people say that whipping provides the same adjustability, but I just didn't go down that path 'cause I have a thread injector. And channels just seem sturdier to me.

I also like sewn channels so I can use Dutch Whoopie Hooks, rather than attach my whoopie slings directly to the ball of fabric on whipped hammocks. I suppose you could also put a larksheaded continuous loop on a whipped-end hammock, but the concept of whipped-end hammocks doesn't appeal to me. Above all, I don't want my suspension to be connected to my hammock - suspensions get wet but that doesn't mean my hammock has to be packed away with a wet suspension - that's why I keep them separate.

[Gresh]

Long is an integral part of this thing, as I'm not only weighing in high, but I'm carrying it all on a 6'4" frame.

[1066vik]

then you definitely don't want the ebay hammock - it's about the same size as the wal-mart $25 special.
I'm 6'1" 260 and found the wally world moddel to be uncomfortably snug aorund the shoulders.
tablecloth DIY, bias, arrowhead, grand trunk double, trek light double, etc... -- lots of choices that can carry 400 pounds for less than $100.

[Gresh]

Tablecloth will absolutely be my first DIY.

Since dollars are (as previously mentioned) a factor in this, I'm strongly considering an ENO DoubleNest Deluxe (http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.c...LE-DELUXE.html) as my first purchase. I'd prefer a WBBB, but that'll have to come when my money tree comes to maturity.