Byer traveller hammock surgery?

[Bear1028]

i am new to hammock camping and i just have a byer amazonas traveller hammock. i dont have the money for some of the better stuff. anyways, i use the hammock and then hang a bug net around it and hang a tarp for my own homemade shelter system. i'm wanting to improve my situation and have a few questions. everytime i go out i have such a hassle of the ropes at the end of the hammock getting all twisted up and it takes me ten minutes just to untangle them. can i take the ropes out and use a single thicker rope or heavy duty nylon straps for supports? i'm also planning on sewing the bug net onto the hammock so i dont have to pack them separately, are there any suggestions on how best to do this? and 1 more question. what size tarp is best? the 5 times i've been out it hasn't rained so i haven't had to worry about it, i only have a 9 x 7 tarp and am wondering if that is large enough. thanks for the help!

[FanaticFringer]

Here's a good thread from Whiteblaze:
www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15066&highlight=byer+hammock

This tarp is hard to beat for the money. Also known as the "Neo" tarp.
I have the 9x9 version. The 12x12 is massive:
www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247

[slowhike]

i herd others talk about problems w/ the ropes on that hammock. if you go to wal-mart you should be able to find suitable nylon fabric to make your own hammock for $1.00 per yard. you would only need 3 & 1/2 to 4 yards.
here's a link telling about making a test hammock. http://www.imrisk.com/testhammock/testhammock.htm
if you just hem (or have someone else do it) all 4 sides of the length of fabric, you will have your new, favorite hammock. ..tim

[funbun]

I agree with Slowhike. Making a new hammock can be so cheap, no need to mutilate your Byer. Buy a four descending rings about 10 feet of Spyderline and some webbing and you can have a Hennessy clone in one Saturday afternoon.

[headchange4u]

Why couldn't you just cut off the ropes and whip the hammock (http://tothewoods.net/HomemadeHammock2.html) just like you would on a DIY version?

[Bear1028]

the hammock is only 84 inches long, which is plenty long enough with the ropes addinga couple of feet but if i whip it it will be too short. i think i'm going to try to make my own hammock, thanks for everyones help.

[Dingus Khan]

Why couldn't you just cut off the ropes and whip the hammock (http://tothewoods.net/HomemadeHammock2.html) just like you would on a DIY version?

it wouldn't be long enough if whipped. the ropes structurally replace the first 2-3 feet of material on the byers, providing the spread of the material. i have the mosquito byer and when hanging comfy have about 8 inches of material on either end (i am 6' flat).

[Dingus Khan]

forgot to address your original question bear - i have used the byer myself for a while (upgraded to a HH recently). the byer is easier and smaller, so for park-type setups to just chill i will bring that one out, but for sleeping, forget it, the HH wins evreytime.
To prevent the ropes from getting into a royal mumbojumbo packing and unpacking i simply hold the two end loops together, straighten out all the lines, letting the hammock hang on the ground, and wrap all of the cords around my hand (starting at the hammock body) and tie off with my ridgeline. stuff in the bag first (the mass of strings fits nicely along the bottom seam) and then proceed to stuff the hammock body on top. sounds kind of stupid but i have never had a problem before. i'll take some pics once i have figured out how to post them.
another easy solution would be to make some real cheesy snake skins out of some cheap fabric or even ladies nylons. the problem of having the end loop pass between the lines causing tangling would be solved. just attach the end of SS to the base of the loop where the lines spread out, pull down, pack (doesn't even have to cover the hammock body).
good luck,
check out my gallery for pics of the aforementioned, they are under tips and tricks in the gallery section.
hope this helps!

[blackie]

what i do with a hammock( non HH) to roll it up for packing is
i untie one end...begin twisting the hammock in a clockwise direction..
allow the hammock to twist into a rope of sorts...keep enough tension so that the matterial dosent bunch up....when the twist has reached the far end..and the hammock sort of looks like a thick twisted rope.. hold the end in your left hand ..use your right hand to fold the hammock in two( in the middle) dont let it twist yet..it will want to..untie the far end ..now hold both ends in the same hand and hold the hammock up ( keep the ropes out of the way)and let the twisted middle twist on its own..this will wind together..now bundle this up and wind the ropes around it nice and tight,,makes for a very tight bundle that packs really well.....i think if you made your bug net ridge line detachable..it would be easy to lay the net down on the body of the hammock roll it up as i have said above..

[nchill]

"the ropes at the end of the hammock getting all twisted up and it takes me ten minutes just to untangle them"

I take the two ends of my Byer Traveler, hold them together around the middle of the lines and tie a big, loose knot, (tying both sides together), then stuff it all into the sack.

-Nancy