first night in my DIY (pics & comments)
Well, I made my first DIY hammock along the lines of Just Jeff's and Risk's webpages. The material was more expensive than I thought. The rip stop nylon was $22 from JoAnn's Fabrics. The spectra climbing cord was cheap only $4 but the 800 lb. 1" nylon webbing was $11 at a local hardware store. It weighs in at just over 1 lb..
It was pretty easy to make. I used a friend's sewing machine to hem the edges. It was surprisingly comfortable. It did stretch and sag a bit over the course of the night but that's to be expected.
Here's a photo of the trial run without mosquito netting: http://www.msnusers.com/hikingjer/on...to&PhotoID=986
Here's a photo with the sil-nylon tarp from a Crazy Creek LEX crib: http://www.msnusers.com/hikingjer/on...to&PhotoID=987
It sprinkled a litle bit and I stayed dry. I have yet to use this tarp in a heavy rain so I don't know how it'd stand up to a heavy downpour. It needs to a better seam sealing than the inadequate stock job. I had a bit of trouble finding a good place to hang since I was car-camping in an old-growth forest dominated with large trees. The hammock ends were too close to the ends of the tarp so heavy rain could've dripped down.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1268/...feb166.jpg?v=0
The next step is to attach the mosquito net. I bought 3 yards from REI for about $9.75 and wrapped/tied it to the hammock's ends. It works OK draped over the hammock and hanging down but determined mosquitos could get in.
Total cost $48 and weighs about 2 lbs. 5 oz.(lighter than my Crazy Creek Crib LEX). A HH A-sym UL is much lighter and probably more comfortable but I'm very hesitant to spend $140+ on a hammock.
