Is a 12' hammock a good idea

**fisherman** · 03-10-2011, 18:10

My son is making his own hammock (as he is using mine in his room to sleep in) and thinks he might go 12'. Are there any drawbacks to a 12' hammock?

**Cannibal** · 03-10-2011, 18:13

The ones I sleep in at home are longer than that.
In general, longer means more comfort. Besides, they can always be shortened. Going the other direction is a bit more tricky.

**Dutch** · 03-10-2011, 18:13

If he uses it outside he will need a long tarp. Longer the better, but I found you start getting deminishing results at around 10.5'. I am 6' tall.

**Highbinder** · 03-10-2011, 18:25

Mine is 3.5m (11.5ft), it'll fit under a 3m tarp set up as an A frame but only just. It is very comfy and the extra length helps a lot with 'wiggle room'. I say go for it!

**jackleberry** · 03-10-2011, 18:41

Down side is, as mentioned, that your ridgeline will have to be longer to acheive 0.83 sag, which means you'll pretty much need a 12' tarp. Also, for a given strap height, your ground clearance will be lower. This means you need to pitch your tarp heigher and attach your straps higher up on trees (starting at 6 1/2' off the ground for the closest trees). The comfort difference isn't *THAT* great... I think you'd get more benefit from having a wider hammock than a longer one (this will let you lay more on the diagonal).

**GvilleDave** · 03-10-2011, 18:48

I make mine w/ 11' 8" fabric then hem the ends and sew a channel for the gather making the finished product about 11' 5". I use a 108" ridgeline and the result is roomy and very flat.

**fisherman** · 03-10-2011, 18:56

We tested it in his room and he's going with 12'- like you said we can always shorten it. He is sewing even as we speak! Gotta love a kid who takes after dad!