Laying in a gathered end hammock at 90 degrees???

[Blainetiller]

So I've been thinking about an idea for the last couple days, have been trying to search for threads talking about this, but couldn't find any (Maybe I'm just bad at searching... If you know of one kindly point me in its direction):

With hammock fabrics being offered in wider and wider widths these days, it seems there may be some potential in laying perpendicular with the ridgeline of the hammock. For instance, my SMr Pares hammock is 78" wide (crazy, I know), so theoretically if I could find a flat lay at 90 degrees the width of the hammock would be more than enough "length" to support my whole self at 6'2". In my mind, this would be achieved by hanging your suspension as close together as you could, so as to achieve as little lateral tension on the 90 degree axis of the hammock as possible, theoretically making for a flat lay. As far as anchor points, this can either be achieved by finding two trees as close together as possible without interfering with your body or hammock material, or by finding a substantial horizontal branch (safe distance from the ground) or other horizontal weight-bearing object and hanging both suspension lines as close together as is functional (I'm assuming there's a certain point where the two suspensions could be hung too close together for it to be comfortable).

I'm sure this isn't a novel idea, but I just wanted to see if this is something anyone has done and had success with. There are definitely a few challenges that would come along with a regular setup such as this (tarps, insulation, etc.), but then again we have some pretty innovative geniuses on here! Does this sound like a good idea?! (If I were you, I'd love to see a visual of what I'm going for here, unfortunately if I drew something up you might just be more confused ).

[chromedome]

I lay that way in my 90x132 tablecloth hammock sometimes, When I'm just lounging. It is flat, and comfortable.

[Penfold]

Do you mean something like the 90* series of hammocks or the Draumr?

[Blainetiller]

Do you mean something like the 90* series of hammocks or the Draumr?

Hammocks like the draumr are what got me thinking, but I'm talking about your standard, gathered end hammock, except built wide enough that you could rotate your body 90* and stretch out flat in it.

[Countrybois]

You will not be flat unless you whip it differently. As the hammock spreads, the edges come up in an arc. They don't spread in a plane.

[Blainetiller]

You will not be flat unless you whip it differently. As the hammock spreads, the edges come up in an arc. They don't spread in a plane.

That makes sense, I feel like that arc would be minimized the shorter your ridge line is. Have you tried an extreme angle, like setting up your suspension maybe 5 or 6 ft apart?

How would you whip it differently? Sounds interesting.

[rocesride]

Call me crazy but wouldn't you just flip over?

[Countrybois]

That makes sense, I feel like that arc would be minimized the shorter your ridge line is. Have you tried an extreme angle, like setting up your suspension maybe 5 or 6 ft apart?

How would you whip it differently? Sounds interesting.

No, I have not tried hanging with that short of ridgeline.

Whipping it in an arch or some other shape other than straight at the head and/or foot end. Again, I have not tried it, but there are some here who have. Put on your search-fu and you'll likely find someone who can give you their results first hand.

[Blainetiller]

Call me crazy but wouldn't you just flip over?

After trying it yesterday afternoon I will say it definitely doesn't feel as stable as laying lengthwise with a longer/regular ridgeline length, but once you have the learning curve down it's actually not bad, especially when laying down. Sitting up can be a bit tricky.

Hopefully today I can get out to the backyard and take some pictures of the setup I have in mind.

[jbmundy]

Maybe a cat cut in the gather would help with flattening it out. Essentially shortening the middle of the hammock. It would probably make it uncomfortable as a normal hammock though.