My Hammock Raft

[Brady]

What about a little trolling motor? Might keep you a bit safer.

Whoops, should read the posts above better, someone else said this first. Too much relying on the tapatalk.

[gnar]

wow! that has got to be 1 of the coolest things Ive ever seen, great job

[hawkerev]

Cool, did something similar to this back when I was in high school. We lashed two canoes together with a deck in the middle, Had a blast floating down part of the Hudson river in upstate New York. We didn't even think about hammocks so that just kicked it up a notch for me!

Wish I knew were some pics were but that was over 30 years ago.... Whatever you do have a bunch of fun!

[ben-bradley]

Ok, I tested the stability of it by setting it up on the lawn, perching on the side railing and leaning over the edge to find the tipping point and I'm happy to say that it stayed upright. In fact, it didn't tilt at all with my 245lbs hanging off the edge.

I know, I know, it's going to behave differently in water and the frame will become much more unstable than it is on dry land, but I'm working with what I've got on hand. As the esteemed Donald Rumsfeld once said, "You go to war with the Army you've got, not the Army you want to have."

I also loaded the deck frame onto the roof racks on the Jetta and that also went well. Unloading the frame was a bit more challenging as controlling the descent required more finesse than lifting and sliding the frame did.

Prepped and ready.

Loaded and strapped in.

[bruinfan]

sub'd. please keep updating
bring plenty of Amsteel.... so u don't lose Wilson
maybe pool noodles to protect your car

I like your thinking that the boat gunna b rocking
be fun have safe

[Redoleary]

That's what I'm talking about! How awesome would that be to sleep on?!

[Stargaze]

I'd get it all set up with BBQ grille, hammock, tarp and a cooler of drinks in the front yard. When people ask why tell them a bug rain is coming Hehehehehe.

Great idea you have going on. The slot that's right in the center( looks like it should be right under your hammock) would be a great place for a drop in center board keel. That would add stability and some tracking to your raft. Can't wait to see once its all up and running.

[DivaB]

Great pictures. Watch paracord, as it stretches. We used cable, cable locks, and even turn buckles to no avail. Our initial problems was the cable stretched too much, to the point we would get to end of our turn buckles. Our sides are even made so that the barrels actually fit under and into it. Then polyethylene rope had to be changed to often. Can't have too tight either because the barrels will expand and contract. Our next attempt, I think, will be mule tape.

Now granted, ours is a dock, on an always moving river, that happens to be only a few houses down from a working lock. So, it takes a beating, and you're not going to be in that kind of environment....but I'm just sharing some barrel issues that we continue to experience in hopes that it helps you. Loosing barrels is a PITA...but with us being on the river, we always find other barrels (do to other people loosing theirs). Kind-of a finders keepers type thing. (should see the entire docks that people loose after storms and floods). Thank God we haven't experienced that one and I hope we never do.

[hppyfngy]

Great pictures. Watch paracord, as it stretches. We used cable, cable locks, and even turn buckles to no avail. Our initial problems was the cable stretched too much...

This is why I'd take those yellow tie down straps and those would be what hold the barrels on.

[fishbait]

Are the barrels attached to the frame? Could be a problem when you go over waterfalls.

This is a necessity. My uncle has a home on Lake Hopatcong in NJ, you'd be surprised at how much a raft will rock when hit by the wake from a boat. If those barrels aren't strapped to the raft it's going to come apart. You may want to consider a detachable ladder for climbing back onto the raft when you go for a dip in the water.