Hammock Trouble

**imagine.peace** · 06-24-2007, 16:29

I made a hammock about 2 months ago and have been using it quite a bit. Almost every weekend, and sometimes every week. I made it out of nylon ripstop material. It worked very well for all this time, had a big net and all was swell. But just last night sleeping in it, I was a bit low to the ground, and up north one the Canadian shied I was close to the rocks. I guess at one point it hit the rock, or scratched and well it ripped. It was not a rip form head to toe, but a rip from one side of my waist to the other. Which sucks when at three in the morning you pack up everything and start canoing home early. I was wondering if when i tied the ends together there was too much pressure on certain spots then others. Im not to such why this happened. Was wondering if doubling the nylon over would make it stronger? If anyone has any suggestions that would be great full. I followed "Just Jeffs Hammock" and like I said was amazing first couple months but this was a downer. I love sleeping in hammocks!
Thanks,
andrew

**warbonnetguy** · 06-24-2007, 20:30

if there was a small hole started by a sharp rock or whatever, i could definately see that happening. you could use two layers, or just a thicker/heavier/stronger single layer, or just be more careful around sharp objects lol...Brandon

**rptinker** · 06-24-2007, 20:35

Welcome to the forum Imagine.peace!

Ive used two layers of nylon tafetta for my hammocks. They worked fine. I believe if you use two layers of 1.1 oz nylon ripstop it would be much stronger than layered tafetta.

**cameronjreed** · 06-24-2007, 20:56

Welcome to the forum Image.Peace

I was contemplating using supplex for a strong (albeit a smidge heavier) single layer hammock.

**slowhike** · 06-24-2007, 21:23

yep, i don't know what weight fabric you used for your hammock, but most people would recommend at least a 1.9oz fabric.
i'm sure a second layer would help protect the main hammock body, even if it was a lighter fabric, but like the others said, be especially careful about rocks & sticks that might rub & damage the hammock. there's a lot of force being supported by that fabric & your depending on it for a good night's sleep.
welcome to the group. ...tim

**Coffee** · 06-25-2007, 00:53

I would also tend to think that any material light enough to hike with would rip pretty easily if it rubbed on something.

**headchange4u** · 06-25-2007, 07:45

Once you get a small tear or rip, especially in the area of the hammock that gets a lot of stress, it will tear and continue to get larger. You can use heavier material, double layers, or other methods but the best this to do is just be careful when hanging your hammock. Be sure you have enough clearance from hazards that may be close by.

Welcome to the forum. I like the username.

**NCPatrick** · 06-25-2007, 07:59

Welcome imagine.peace,

I wonder how effective a needle and polyester thread (maybe some dental floss?) would have been if you had caught the rip earlier, or would the stress still have been too much?

"A stitch in time saves nine"?

**Peter_pan** · 06-25-2007, 09:29

Sounds like the real issue is tying it high enough and well enough to avoid sag to any obstacles....

FWIW.... although we all sometimes ignore having even ground under us, it is worth pointing out again, that every time we hang over any obstacle we have an increased risk should descender rings/knots slip or fail... dropping even a few inches under these conditions could result in injury or even death.....This same risk is why the hammock and suspension system should be inspected with every hang...

Pan