I haven't used a hammock since Vietnam. I want to try camping again but I'm too old and fat to sleep on the ground. I want to try using a hammock again but I have some issues and I don't know enough about modern hammocks to begin to make an intelligent choice. I clearly need some advice. It would be best to make a list of issues that will affect my choices.
(Caution I am going to use some humor to get my point across but the issues are real.)
I weigh around 350 and I'm just under 6'
some back issues
I'm close to 75 years old so a lifetime warranty on a production hammock doesn't mean much to me. You could give me a lifetime warrant on an ice cream cone for all it matters.
I can't sleep in a closed tent and I don't want to sleep in a bucket shaped hammock. I need to be able to see what is going on around me.
When I camp I always use a tarp. Even when I was in the USMC when I slept on the ground I only used a shelter half as a tarp.
I just might still have some issues 50+ years later.
Hammocks
I loved my M1966 jungle hammock. I still have two "new" ones I acquired just before I got out (one with bug net and one without). They are in great shape but I am twice the man I once was so they don't work like they use to.
I have looked at some commercial hammocks but it is hard to find one in my weight class that I think will work. Most are made with material that will stretch and I don't want to sleep in a bucket. I want to sleep with my head out of the bucket so I can see what is going on.
What I think I want.
As stated I loved my M1966 issue hammocks. I think they are well designed and versatile. I also believe they need to be longer and wider and made of a material that will handle the extra weight. I don't know how long or wide or what material I would need to use. This is what I hope the folks on this site can help me with.
M1966 hammock design features I like.
Spreader bars - The one without the bug net had a sleeve on both ends where you could put a spreader bar (branch, bamboo) through to make it like a cot. The bug net version had the sleeve down the sides because of the way you hung it. They could be used as a litter or you could use spreaders to convert it to a cot. The M1966 without the bug net was normally hung with a gathered end loop through the end sleeves. The hanger had a bungee/toggle on it to attach a poncho for a hammock cover. I like that because it was quick and easy to tear down.
I'm sure there is better stuff out there but this is what I know and it worked for me. That said I am open to suggestions since like I said I don't know what the new stuff will do. I know the M1966 style hammocks are still issued around the world to military units. I think Hennessy makes one but it's not in my weight range and the last thing my old bones needs is to fall out of a hammock in the middle of nowhere.
Summary
1. I would like suggestions on commercial hammocks that will fit the weight requirements. I looked at HOBO hammocks on line and they cover the weight requirement and are in my price range.
2. I would like suggestions on design parameters for a DIY copy of an updated M1966 clone. I think all I would need is length, width and fabric suggestions. I found a fabric company on eBay that has all sorts of military grade fabric at what seems like reasonable prices. I plan on using the same hanging system that came with my M1966.
3. I would like to find someone that would be interested in this project to do the sewing. I will of course provide all the material needed. I could also loan them the M1966 hammocks to model.
4. Cost is an issue. I will need to weigh the cost difference between commercial and DIY. Like I said I don't know squat about today's hammocks. I know the M1966 worked for me another lifetime ago but it may not work today. If I am overstepping with this post I am sorry but this is the only place I think I can find the answers I am looking for. At my age I know I will only have 2 or 3 years left where I will even want to go camping. After that the hammock will end up in the back yard.
For those of you that are not familiar with the M1966 hammock this YouTube channel has several videos on this hammock. https://www.youtube.com/user/louisianahiker/videos
Thanks for reading this far.
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