Hammock for sleeping

D

daninPA

New member
After years of sleeping on a Thermarest on the ground (Army, backpacking) I finally tried a hammock.

After finding the right trees, spaced the right distance apart, tensioning the lines just right, figuring out how to get in an out, I quickly learned a hammock outdoors gave me the best night’s sleep in my life.

This is not the backyard hammock or the little twine balls sold in outdoor shops — this is a Hennessy Hammock with mosquito netting.

Has anyone else tried using a real hammock on board? While the V-berth is an option, I’m certain the hammock will be far more comfortable IF I can figure out where to lash it.
 
I have also considered this. I wonder on a 22 cruiser if there is adequate room corner to corner in the cockpit if you secured one end to the stainless grab bar on the cabin and the other end to a length of tubing custom built to fit in a rod holder. ( my boat has rod holders quite far aft ). This way you could match the height of the grab bar and potentially limit the amount of swinging if your anchorage was a tad rolly. Might not be enough room…not sure. Possibly extend the custom made bar on an angle to increase length?
 
I thought there may be a possibility of putting an eyebolt on the V berth bulkhead but the material is not strong enough to support a loaded hammock.

The distance between rod holders is also too short to deploy my Hennesy hammock (or any other hammock I would fit in).

Perhaps an eyebolt near the anchor windlass mount on one end, the other on the cockpit bulkhead? That would provide enough distance and secure mounting location (and be inside the cabin).
 
daninPA":11thojoy said:
I thought there may be a possibility of putting an eyebolt on the V berth bulkhead but the material is not strong enough to support a loaded hammock.

The distance between rod holders is also too short to deploy my Hennesy hammock (or any other hammock I would fit in).

Perhaps an eyebolt near the anchor windlass mount on one end, the other on the cockpit bulkhead? That would provide enough distance and secure mounting location (and be inside the cabin).
Click to expand...

This is an interesting concept. I like the idea but have never slept in a hammock overnight.
Some Questions. How long is the hammock? How much distance would you need between tie or anchor points? How much sag from tie point to tie point would there be in the middle (yeah, I know, the more weight in the middle the closer you get to the ground :shock: What are the chances of waking up on the deck instead of in the hammock in the morning?

Would the aft cabin handle work for a tie point on one end and the opposite side, aft cleat work for the other end for tie points?

Somewhere in somebodies album there is a photo of a hammock on the bow, from the cabin top grab rail to the bow rail (IIRC). I have no idea where that was now.

I'm interested in following this as I may have a guest on board for a while this summer. Might work out.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

9_Sept_Seq_2019_Cal.thumb.jpg
 
I haven't tried it (and I don't think a hammock would be all that comfortable), but I don't see a C-Dory 22 being big enough to have a hammock as described installed correctly. Figuring that a 6' person would need at least a 9' span (probably more) to hang a hammock properly, I don't see it happening in a 22 or even a 25.
 
Far more detailed hammock lore can be found elsewhere, but I am not talking about the backyard thing. This is a hammock meant for sleeping and it's incredibly comfortable (save for those with claustrophobia, but those people likely aren't into C-Dory).

There's a formula but with the Hennesy hammock, the ridgeline determines the correct amount of sag (you tie the ends so that the ridge line is taut, but not under tension).

Also, you lay at an angle in a modern hammock (not on centerline). This provides a flatter sleeping surface. So some cant to the lay is preferable (so a tie-down point centerline in front and off to one side aft would be acceptable).
 
I used to do a great deal of hard core backpacking. The group I hung out with once got enamored with hammocks instead of thermarests and tents. After much debate the group (about 20 people) decided that half hated them, the other half liked them. The difference?.....whether or not you slept on your back. The other problem was in cold weather it was difficult to insulate yourself between the sleeping bag (down) and the hammock.
 
Apparently, people who natively sleep in hammocks use hammocks that are much wider than the typical backyard hammock used by westerners. These native hammocks are slept in perpendicular to the hanging axis vs. parallel to it as used by most people and seamen.

The Hennessy hammock needs a minimum of 12-13 feet span between hangers (depending on the model according to the website). It's not clear how much lateral space you need to tie out the stretcher lines. A 22 does not have that much clear space. Doubt that a 25 does either.
 
I spent far too many nights on the ground (in the 90s the Army issued rolled foam -- pretty much as comfortable as it sounds -- not).

I bought an early Thermarest and slept on that for several years in the Army and then later camping and backpacking.

But soon sleeping on the ground lost its luster (or maybe I was too stubborn to realize it sucked).

I tried a Hennesy Hammock. I took it on a couple of backpacking excursions. I loved it (I'm a side sleeper except in a hammock -- go figure). In hot weather it was cooler. In cold weather the combination of insulation underneath and sleeping bag inside made it plenty warm.

Of course, in bear country, there's the slight discomfort of recognizing you're an easy snack.

Anyway, If I could I'd replace our Queen mattress with hammocks, but after 41 years that may be too radical a change to our marital bliss.

:-)
 
Interesting topic. But when I am tired and want to crash, don't know if I could remember all the lashings and knots to put it up properly!

Martin.
 
bridma":9b0fr99v said:
Interesting topic. But when I am tired and want to crash, don't know if I could remember all the lashings and knots to put it up properly!

Martin.
Click to expand...

I've been pretty tired at the end of a backpacking day. But after the re-acquaintance the first time each season, it becomes a 5 minute operation.

In fact, you could probably build inserts for the hang points that would allow a quick connect to the hammock ties at either end.
 
hardee":2ord4cpp said:
:lol: :lol: Hummm, no problem turning over,

BIG PROBLEM staying in :lol: :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC

IMGP1828.thumb.jpg
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. I tried one of those “tactical hammocks” in the field one year. It was just wide enough but just.

My soldiers liked taking bets on whether the LT would drop out and when.

I think pride kept me in that thing.

But, the modern hammocks (such as the Hennessy) are not constructed that way — they intentionally wrap up on either side. IN fact, the challenge can be getting in!!

:-)
 
Back
Top