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Sam Plan B · 20-06-2011, 17:55

I live on my Columbia 41 and I was thinking about how to have a useful berth in the aft cabin. The full width of it is taken up by a large bed. While this arrangement works well in port, not so much at sea. I came upon the following website that provided dimensions and details for a Royal Navy pattern hammock. http://www.hmsrichmond.org/hamock.htm. As luck would have it, my aft cabin is exactly long enough to fit.
After a trip to the art supply store for canvas, in a few evenings I was able to make a fair copy of the original item. Guess what? It works just fine. I have been sleeping in it for the past two weeks with no ill effects. I understand that the RN originally issued a thin mattress with the hammock and that is my next task. Perhaps a thin camping pad in a canvas cover will do the trick. We shall see.

pillum · 20-06-2011, 18:05

Hammocks are a great idea, I used one in the BVI when it was too hot in the cabin. Spinny pole on the highest point on the mast, and dipping down to the bow and tied to the forestay, with the hammock between the pole end and the mast. Real comfortable, but needed a mozzie net in the early evening when we were close to shore. I bought my hammocks from women outside the jail in Villahermosa, Mexico, the prisoners make them to earn spending money.

goboatingnow · 20-06-2011, 18:55

hate hammocks, cant sleep on my back and they just dont suit any other method

Dave

Sam Plan B · 20-06-2011, 19:35

My habit is to sleep curled up on my side. The canvas hammock lets me do that. The trick is to have enough tension so that it hangs fairly flat when empty. When you lay down in it, it takes just the right curve. I also have a quilt folded double in lieu of a mattress just now.

ggray · 20-06-2011, 19:53

Hammocks are most comfortable when they have spreader bars each end, and then you lie across the diagonal of the hammock. Much less sag in the middle.

Never tried it without the spreader bars, but don't think it would do as well.

pillum · 20-06-2011, 20:07

They are great for babies too, gentle rocking motion, no restricted breathing and virtually impossible to fall out of.

Blue Stocking · 21-06-2011, 04:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by pillum

They are great for babies too, gentle rocking motion, no restricted breathing and virtually impossible to fall out of.

My daughter, now 44yrs old, made her first offshore, 3 days around Bermuda, at the age of 4 months. Hammock was a beach towel, sheet-bended at ends with 1/4 line.

She still talks about it today. Sweet memories.
I have a forestay strap for mine to the mast--a gin and tonic--Ahhhh yes.

**boatman61** · 21-06-2011, 04:17

Did someone mention... 'Hammocks...?'

Blue Stocking · 21-06-2011, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Did someone mention... 'Hammocks...?'

--not wishing you an early demise, BUT,--fit with a zipper, throw in an old alternator or two--and over the side.

**boatman61** · 21-06-2011, 04:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

--not wishing you an early demise, BUT,--fit with a zipper, throw in an old alternator or two--and over the side.

Thought it would never happen....
Someone on CF finally said something intelligent....

Blue Stocking · 21-06-2011, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Thought it would never happen....
Someone on CF finally said something intelligent....

Don't take the rum--we'll need that.

Sam Plan B · 21-06-2011, 04:54

I used 1/4" stainless steel rods for spreader bars. I drilled a small hole in each end and served to the closest grommet. To suspend the hammock in my aft cabin I use 1/4" stainless steel eye bolts. One goes through the aft bulkhead (lazarete) and one goes foreward just above the engine compartment.