Making a "Fat Guy Hammock"

**Joeslost** · 06-02-2017, 20:33

Hello, my fellow hangers!
My name is Joe and I have made a few DYI hammocks and now a friend of mine wants one. But there are hurdles he has presented, and I am not a man to back down from a challenge! He requires that his hammock holds not only his 260+lb self but also his 260+lb wife. So I am thinking that it should be able to withstand 700lb to be safe.
Preliminarily I am thinking I will make an 11' double layer hammock ( I have only ever made a single layer hammock so If you kind folks know of any good tutorials that would be awesome!) Whipped end hammock using 1/8in amsteel. I am eyeing RSBTR's 1.0 oz ROBIC XL ripstop nylon for the fabric. And I will just pick up some chillgorella slap straps for the suspension.
Have any of you faced a similar challenge before? How did you accomplish it? Does my "Fat Guy Hammock" (His words not mine) plan sound like it may do the job?

Thanks, All and happy hanging!

**Pheonix6579** · 06-02-2017, 20:48

The 1.0 robic even in a triple layer wont get you to 700lbs. I'd suggest using a double layer 2.4 hexon or 2.2 HEX in a double layer. That should put you at 500lbs easy. If your looking at 700lbs, you might want to go triple layer. I mean i think two separate hammocks hung with a spreader bar would be the best most comfortable end result. Two people in a hammock only works in theory, reality is a very different game.

**kitsapcowboy** · 06-02-2017, 20:54

For the ultimate bombproof two-person hammock, I would go with:

* Double-layer of 1.7 oz ROBIC XL (Not going to be a light hammock, so skip the 1.0 ROBIC...)
* Whipped ends with stopper ties in sewn end channels (Puts the stress on your super-strong fabric.)
* Dutch Woven Daisy Chain suspension (Super-strong, provided you cut and and sear it properly.)

I would order 9 yards to make sure I had enough length in my two blanks for a finished length of at least 132" (whip to whip); you might need to experiment to see how much fabric your particular gathered end design chews up. I built an 11.5-foot hammock for my friend who's 6'5" and 250+, which seems to have turned out well; I would suspect that two people might appreciate a little extra length as well as the wide fabric for the hammock body.

FWIW, here are some links to double-layer hammocks I have made:

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...al-Hammock-Day
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...debody-Hammock
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ameleon-Style)

Also, check out Xtrekker's excellent YouTube video tutorial...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I211TluoTzM

If you want to get fancy, jellyfish will show you how to take your DL hammock to the next level... (Because she is awesome.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo86snPA_oc

Last but not least, I found this one quite helpful when I made my first hammock...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0cXtG8bH_w

HTH. Good luck.

**Phantom Grappler** · 06-02-2017, 21:01

Maybe a little wider and longer--but maybe that's not needed or wanted by your friends.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Joeslost** · 06-04-2017, 08:52

Hey, Guys thanks for the feedback! I have revised my plan to an 11ft double layer 2.2oz hex 70 hammock. I am going to whip the ends in some way so the weight is held by the fabric and not thread. What are some of your favorite methods of whipping the ends of a hammock?

**gargoyle** · 06-04-2017, 09:26

Build two hammocks and hang them side by side.
Way more comfortable. Rig your straps so they come off the tree at opposite sides, left and right . Choose wide trees the spread is better.