first timer

**Beast 71** · 06-28-2009, 22:57

I got my first hammock in the mail on Thursday (a Grandtrunk Skeeter Beater Pro). I could tell right away that the straps were bunk so I went to REI and got the stuff to do the straps like on justjeffs web page. Unfortunatly my new poly straps are at the seamstress so I can't get'em until Monday. But, I did set it up today with some straps I found in my hunting stuff of unknown material and quality. Boy does my set up stretch! The hammock is made from parachute nylon, is that why it so stretchy, or are they bad straps or both? I nearly need a boost to get in and then 20 minutes later I'm getting back out to tighten things up because my but hits the ground. Are all camping hammocks stretchy? I did get it tight enough to take about a 2 hour nap. I slept like a baby. At 71F I got alittle chilly wearing only shorts and a T-shirt so I think this will be just the ticket for camping in hot weather. Tonight I'm going back out with my thermarest and sleeping bag to check that out. Wish me luck.

**sclittlefield** · 06-29-2009, 07:02

Sounds like the straps are nylon. It shouldn't be your hammock. That parachute material does a good job.

**lori** · 06-29-2009, 07:07

Welcome to elevated living.

Hammocks will stretch a little but will settle after a few uses. sclittlefield is right, you probably have nylon strapping, that will stretch again and again. You'll notice the poly straps will stretch a little for the first 2-3 hangs and stop.

**Cannibal** · 06-29-2009, 10:03

If you bought it at REI, it's nylon.
Change out, again, to poly and your troubles will be gone.

**rigidpsycho** · 06-29-2009, 10:07

Enjoy the roominess of the Skeeter Beeter Pro. As said before use polypro straps instead of the nylon ones.

**Beast 71** · 06-29-2009, 13:49

My straps that are at the seamstress are poly(farm store purchase) so I'm glad to hear that it won't be so stretchy. I slept pretty well except I had to chase the thermarest around the inside of the hammock all last night. Now I'm trying rig up my sleeping bag as an under quilt for tonight (the wife thinks I'm nuts). Thanks for all the help.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-29-2009, 13:56

Originally Posted by Beast 71

Now I'm trying rig up my sleeping bag as an under quilt for tonight (the wife thinks I'm nuts). Thanks for all the help.

There's a lot of that going around.

**gargoyle** · 06-29-2009, 19:13

Hammocks and spousal disapproval go hand in hand. Can we get a group buy on counseling?

**Beast 71** · 06-30-2009, 13:10

I REALLY like sleeping in my hammock (Skeeter Beater Pro), but I "sink" into the fabric so much that the sides almost touch at the top and I cant see out. It also closes up the air flow I should be getting from the netting. Am I doing something wrong in my set up? I'm a pretty big guy, is that the trouble?
The sides being up so high makes it very hard to get back out. Would a bottom entry hammock be better? What are the pros and cons of a botom entery hammock?

**gargoyle** · 06-30-2009, 13:38

Beast , I'm a big guy too, and found sleeping on a diagonal really eliminated the closed in syndrome. A slight sag in hammock and a small pillow under head helped,too. Play with your set-up, and position that you lay, these two things seemed to change the comfort level the most. The newer my hammock was, the worse the sides rode up. But now that I've slept in it for a couple of weeks, the fabric has relaxed (stretched) and lays much flatter. Also try a ccf pad to spread the fabric. Look around HF for different set-ups for more ideas, we each have our own sense of comfort..diferent strokes for different folks.