Brazilian hammock - which size?

[hutzelbein]

I built a bamboo hammock stand to be able to hang indoors. Now I find I really would like to get a Brazilian hammock. As far as I understand, bigger is better - is this correct?

Most shops seem to carry 3 sizes: single, double and family. I would go for the family sized hammock, but is it possible to hang a hammock this size on my bamboo stand? My ridge pole is 3m - which means the attachment points will be less than 3m apart. Is this sufficient for a XXL Brazilian hammock? If not, will a double hammock fit? Or should I go for the single size?

Thanks!

[Cannibal]

Lots of things to consider, but overall, length is (IMO) the most important factor in a Brazilian hammock. I look for Brazilians with at least a 7.5' (little more than 2m) bed section. Overall length should be at least at least 12' (3.5+m) long. Personally, I like the ones that have an overall length of 13-14'.

I wouldn't swear to it, but I think I'm sleeping in a Bossa Nova Hammock right now which is about 12.5' overall length and a 6' width. VERY comfortable hammock. 3m between anchor points is iffy. I don't remember what my measurements between anchor points are, but it's probably pretty close to 3m.

[TFC Rick]

Cannibal,
Do you reccomend a source for buying these? I would like to go back to hanging full time, but the only source I can find is in Mexico and the shipping is $40 alone.

My mother has Scottish blood.

[Cannibal]

Not really a particular site that does better than the others.

Swings N Thinks
Hammocks.com
Seasidehammocks

Those are probably my top 3 most visited sites. Honestly, with the Brazilians and the Nicaraguans, shopping around is your best bet. They all have basically the same selection, some sell out certain models faster than others and some get them back in stock quicker too. Then there are the sales, specials, and closeouts. Try to spend at least $80 for a good return. I've found a few that were half that price and still comfortable, but they were the exceptions. The cheap ones use inferior quality fabric that wears quickly and is usually not comfortable against the skin. The more you spend, the better the fabric will be.

[hutzelbein]

Thanks; with regards to hanging - is the Brazilian hammock similar to the WBBB? I find that I have to hang the WBBB pretty taut (as Warbonnet recommends). More sag means a bigger ridge under my calves. Will this happen with a Brazilian hammock as well?

[Cannibal]

It can.

With the nylon hammocks like the BB, the sag is generally dictated by that magic 30° angle from the suspension everyone talks about. With the larger home hammocks like Brazilians, the comfortable sag setting (for me) is much deeper. Here is an old shot of our bedroom that I have on my work computer:



It isn't the best picture for this discussion, but you can see that the sag is much more pronounced than on a typical camping rig. The right amount of sag for you can only be determined by you. Making the hammock hang with less sag will take a whole lot more distance between anchors.

[hutzelbein]

Hm, sounds as if the Brazilian is probably not compatible with my 3m stand

Canibal - I'd be grateful if you would check how far apart your attachment points are when you get the chance. That might give me a better idea.

****, I might have to wait some more before going Brazilian.

[brushybill]

i have an xl brazillian hammock fromm www.hammocks.com
hanging at the right angle it measures 14'7" from end to end

[Cannibal]

Canibal - I'd be grateful if you would check how far apart your attachment points are when you get the chance. That might give me a better idea.

Happy to do so. I'll see if the gf is at home right now.

Stands are a problem with the big hammocks, to be sure.

[brushybill]

hutzelbein,my measurement was incorrect, my minimum hanging length is 14' ,typically one foot shorter than the hammock length works well,
hope this helps