A bridge Hammock for heavier folks

[sullythehiker]

I have been a hammock user for almost a year now and i absolutley love my WBBR XLC. I am however curious about a bridge style hammock. I am a side and stomach sleeper most of the time and while it is possible in my WBBR, I would love to see what the difference is on a bridge style. I know the materials used to make the hammock are the same as a gathered end style so I can only assume that the weight restrictions come in with the spreader bars. Does anyone know of a good substitute that can be used? i am thinking about trying my hand at fabricating my own.

[Gresh]

Zilla is the man you want to talk to.

[Briguy114]

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...light=mackinac

[Ratdog]

Zilla is the man you want to talk to.

+1

Zilla made an awesome bridge that is the best example I've seen of bridge for larger folks.

[IRONFISH45]

I was looking back through posts on building a bridge hammock. Tired Feet brought up the idea of using bamboo, heating it with a blowtorch to bring out the resin to make the bamboo stronger for the spreader bars on bridge hammocks. I thought it was an interesting concept, a bit controversial, but I like it because bamboo is renewable and easy to find. I know buildings are constructed with bamboo, so I would think it is possible to use it for spreader bars, it is light and evidently can be made strong. I will look and see if I can find the post where Tired Feet discusses his idea of using bamboo for spreader bars.

[IRONFISH45]

I am probably off base since I am just learning about Bridge Hammock construction. I thought the weight concerns were more with the rigging, not the spreader bars. I thought it was the fabric and attaching the lines to the hammock. Most everyone seems to use the same strength spreader bars, just different lengths. One member suggested using survey stakes when deciding which length of spreader bars to use. I am going to make a bridge hammock for my daughters companion, he is on the large side 78/79 inches long and not slim (well out of the 200 lb. range). I am going to use the larger diameter Amsteel, double layer heavier nylon and do a lot of testing before I present him with the hammock. I had him try out my Survivor by Hennessy and it fit him, however, I thought he should have something a little easier to enter and exit.

I am curious to see what you decide to try.