More Newbie Questions

**wirerat99** · 10-31-2013, 07:13

I have started hanging in the house full time and so far I haven't been able to make it through the night expect one time. I am sure most of my problems are do to inexperience but, I was hoping you guys could help me shorten the learning curve. I have two hooks in the wall 14' apart, my hammock in a cheap double rip stop that is 10' long and 6' wide. I am using whoopies and a 8'3" ridge line. I have a good sag I think but am having trouble getting enough room when i lay diagional. One of my problems I think is that I am 6"3" and 300lbs, my chest is 56" and I feel like I am wrapped up really tight. It was suggested in another thread that I try a bigger hammock. If I were to make one what size should I try? Or does someone sell bigger hammocks. I want to get a Mayan soon, but would also like to replace my woods hammock with the proper size for me. Also I feel like everytime I move my arms my head is getting jerked around. This could be a size problem as well. Finally I am pretty cold on my back about half way through the night. I am sleeping with no pad or under quilt. Would a pad be enough for indoors? I could rig up an underquilt with an old sleeping bag. That is the best option I have at the moment. Thanks for all the help. I am open to any suggestions.
joe

**OutandBack** · 10-31-2013, 09:06

For more support and room in the hammock I'd recommend an 1.9 double 11' for a guy your size and if it will fit in your room. 60" or wider would also help you get more diagonal.
You could make an indoor UQ with any fleece blanket and some shockcord. I would not recommend a pad full time. They are a pain to deal with when trying to get comfortable.
hth

**PapaSmurf** · 10-31-2013, 09:26

I think you would definitely have a much better lay in a longer (and possibly wider) hammock. A heavier fabric will also hold you higher in the hammock with less stretch which may eliminate that closed in "cocoon" feeling of the hammock wrapping around you.

**Hambone** · 10-31-2013, 09:32

You could make a hammock from one of the 90x156 tablecloths from TableClothsFactory.com. That would be plenty large enough. I sleep full time in a hammock also, one thing that helps me is a small pillow under my knees.

**Caveman** · 10-31-2013, 10:02

I would also suggest a longer hammock.

**wirerat99** · 10-31-2013, 13:46

Thanks for the feed back, I think I will give the hammock I am using to my daughter. She is five would fit better. I may just get a mayan for my room and try to find a bigger hammock for camping. Does anyone sell bigger versions? Or should I just order some ripstop and sew my own?
Joe

**wirerat99** · 10-31-2013, 13:57

I just looked around and found some decent prices for rip stop. I may just buy that and try it out. What do you guys use for thread? Is it anything special?
Thanks
Joe

**Caveman** · 10-31-2013, 13:58

Most people will suggest gutterman thread. I've used button/craft thread from wallyworld with no ill effects though.

**gmcttr** · 10-31-2013, 16:34

Originally Posted by wirerat99

...I may just get a mayan for my room...

Make sure you understand the difference between Mayan and Brazilian style hammocks.

The Mayans are an open mesh (think fish net) that snags on every bit of clothing. The photos of people hanging in them look wonderful, but when I got one, I found it to be very difficult to move around in and not to my liking at all.

The Brazilians are a cotton fabric (I think) and I wish I had got one of them instead.

**wirerat99** · 10-31-2013, 16:45

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Make sure you understand the difference between Mayan and Brazilian style hammocks.

The Mayans are an open mesh (think fish net) that snags on every bit of clothing. The photos of people hanging in them look wonderful, but when I got one, I found it to be very difficult to move around in and not to my liking at all.

The Brazilians are a cotton fabric (I think) and I wish I had got one of them instead.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into it a little more.
Joe