In the last week I've gone from lusting after hammock designs on the internet, to being a hammock owner.
With the help of a member here, I acquired a nylon tablecloth, (in a nifty electric guacamole color) and haphazardly gathered the ends of the tablecloth and put an overhand knot in each end.
After a quick trip to Harbor Freight, I picked up a pair of the lashing straps in blaze orange.
60 seconds work with a hacksaw removed the buckles, and now I had a pair of suspension straps.
Not having a handy pair of trees to affix my new creation too, I was afraid it might be awhile before I could get out to the woods to try out my contraption.
But luckily. newbie enthusiasm overrode dignity and I decided to hoist it aloft in my front yard.
I lashed one end to the oak tree in the front yard, and the positioned my truck to avail myself of the trailer hitch on the truck's bumper.
I wrapped one strap around the knot on the hammock and did a quick larkshead to secure it, and I lashed the free end around the tree with my attempt at a Speer knot.
On the other end of the hammock, I ran the free end of the strap through the overhand knot in the fabric, and did another (close?) approximation of a larkshead.
I tested both ends by pulling on them, and they seemed solid, so I put the last strap around the bumper hitch, put in a MSH, and turned to admire my work.
Dang!! Looks kind of like a real hammock!!
I tentatively eased into the hammock and leaned back to try it out.
Whoa!! Seems my Speer knot was a little loose. It slipped a bit and dropped the hammock down a few inches.
I retied the knot, making sure it was tighter this time and retried the entry.
Success at last!
I reclined back into the hammock and was amazed at how comfortable it was. Almost like floating in air. There was also a gentle swaying that was seductively calming and welcoming.
There was a bit of a 'cocooning' effect with the nylon closing at the top, but I'm not sure if I actually minded it. It was also a bit tight around my shoulders- but that could just be the bad angle I tied it into due to the truck bumper being below waist height. .
Even though the angle was off. it was really comfortable and relaxing. I laid in the hammock for awhile, and was debating on whether I should sleep in it tonight - strictly for testing purposes of course. I decided to spare my girlfriend from having to explain the odd goings on in the front yard (pretty sure passing cars were slowing down to get a better look) and moved inside for the night.
Can't wait to spend my first night in it.
The member here gave me a great discount, but counting the table cloth at $20 retail, and $3 for the suspension straps, I think it's pretty easy to put together a viable budget hammock for about $25.
( the HF straps don't really inspire confidence, so I'll be upgrading to some from Dutch ASAP, but I 'm 6ft and 190, the HF straps should be fine for lighter folks).
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