Hello from New Zealand!!

Hello everyone!
My Name is Zac and I'm from the land down under, New Zealand (Which is not part of Australia, although we are very close!)

I've recently been getting very excited about Hammock camping and have been researching as much as I can in almost ALL of my free time this past week. I am still a complete noob..
I enjoy hunting and camping and will often go on hunting trips where I have to stay in the bush. The last time I went out I made a bivy on the ground but it was really uncomfortable as sleeping on the ground usually is and it's also quite hard to find flat spots as I go hunting in the mountains.

So I'm currently trying to get ideas for building my very first hammock and to be honest I'm getting very overwhelmed by all the options! You guys are incredibly creative!

I guess the first thing I need to do is find a suitable material both for the hammock and also for the fly. I've looked at a few stores here in NZ but ripstop nylon is quite expensive. I've been trying to source materil from overseas but am having a hard time trying to find a supplier with cheap material. Any suggestions??

Thanks!!
Zac

While it says "Senior Member" under my name, I still consider myself somewhat of a noob; as opposed to some of the members here. But I did have to say that I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous of you for living in New Zealand. I know it's at the top of my life list for countries to hike. Lucky!

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I'm not a DIY. At least not yet, but I know there are several people here who can guide you towards a supplier. If materials are still too expensive, you may try purchasing a completed hammock from a supplier. Might I suggest, oh I don't know.... a Warbonnet Blackbird. Good luck

What did you use for a tarp when you slept on the ground? Maybe you can make the same thing work over a hammock. I suggest taking things one at a time. First, make a hammock, using Ed Speer's design or Risk's Z-hammock. I assume you've found Just Jeff's "tothewoods.net". For fabric, use something cheap from a local store; get 4 yards. If you don't have a tarp you can use or modify, use a piece of plastic. The next step will be obvious to you once you've tried the above. Come back to hammockforums to ask questions and/or report progress. Welcome!

A Whoooo Buddy Welcome Prestidge.
I have been to Wellington and had some terrific times there.
I have a video series on hammocks that may give you some ideas and such.
Here: Hammock How-To for Noobs
Shug

Thanks for the welcome! Yea we have a beautiful country here, you certainly dont grow tired of the awesome sights!

Thanks Shug, I've actually just finished watching the first ones on the actual hammock, I havnt watched the tarp ones yet but they are super helpful so far!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prestidge

Thanks for the welcome! Yea we have a beautiful country here, you certainly dont grow tired of the awesome sights!

Thanks Shug, I've actually just finished watching the first ones on the actual hammock, I havnt watched the tarp ones yet but they are super helpful so far!

---

I made that hammock from JustJeff's instructions .... and it was on from there!!!

Fair dinkum to ya....i've tromped a bit on the s.island--wonderful land you've got there...even paddled abit at abel tasman...never did see your famous possum but did see a kiwi....now let me got off here zip off the whicket :)

Welcome to the forum. As others have said, Jeff's site "to the woods" and shugs video's is a good start

Prestidge, Welcome to the best little forum on the web. Wish I were there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prestidge

Hello everyone!
My Name is Zac and I'm from the land down under, New Zealand (Which is not part of Australia, although we are very close!)

I've recently been getting very excited about Hammock camping and have been researching as much as I can in almost ALL of my free time this past week. I am still a complete noob..

Zac

---

Hey Zac

Welcome to hammockforums.net. I have relatives on my mother's side that live in Auckland and Wellington. New Zealand is on my list of countries to visit sooner before later. The country is beautiful down there.

As for your hammock material sourcing. I would check to see what types of hammocks are commercially available at your local outdoor gear shop. I no the lure of DIY is strong, but sometimes it is cheaper to buy a ready made quality product than produce it yourself. Just ask anyone who's wanted to buy SpinnUL fabric to make a tarp. The cost of the material alone is only a few dollars cheaper than it is to buy a ready made tarp from the same material.

I am sure that you can find a silnylon tarp that will work for any hammock locally. I speak from experience, importing products to your own country gets to be expensive in a hurry with taxes, brokerage charges and duties.

Have fun

Brian