If you ever watched ”Gilligan`s Island” in its prime or caught a rerun, you know this: It took Gilligan forever to get into his hammock, and he never managed it without stepping on the Skipper`s face or belly.
Your life doesn`t have to be like that (even if your skipper does have a belly), because we`re here to help solve the getting-in/getting-out dilemma. Two simple rules:
First, make sure your hammock has been installed properly. It should be pulled tightly, and the ends should be attached at least shoulder height from the ground. It`s supposed to sway after you get in, not before. (You`ll know you`ve done this first step wrong if, after settling in, your soft side hits the hard ground.)
Begin by standing at one of the long sides of the hammock, facing away from it, with your feet firmly on the ground. Grasp the edge of the hammock behind you, and hold the edge just below your rear end. Sit down. Swing your legs into the hammock as you lie down.
How much?
Now, if you happen to be among the hammock-deprived, you can launch your quest for slug-like leisure at any sporting goods, patio furniture or swimming pool store. How much you spend is your choice. Prices range from $7.99 to $200.
If you want to go cheap, get a model that you can tie between two trees and call it a day. (You`ll need two trees at least 14 feet apart.) This kind is compact and ideal for camping, backpacking, boating, picnics or the backyard. However, the cheaper hammocks usually are made of acrylic or nylon and may not include the tie-offs you`ll need to attach them to the tree.
If you are willing to shell out more, but not a lot more, some models come with tubular aluminum stands that require assembly. The stand has advantages, especially if you don`t have the right tree arrangement and can`t afford to move your trees. Some people think that a stand provides better support.
If you`re lazy and loaded, there`s another choice: a rope hammock (about $100 or so) that is all polyester rope, with solid oak headers and a link chain connecting it to either your tree or a stand, which typically costs extra.
Retail store personnel say the price accounts for durability and comfort. Hammocks made of polyester have the look and feel of cotton, but they`re said to be more durable because cotton rope tends to rot.
Pre-relaxation
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Once you`ve chosen the right size, color and style, you will need to assemble your hammock. Your skipper or some other crew member will have to help, but it should take two of you only about five minutes, using the directions that come with the hammock you bought.
Begin by picking the spot where you would most like to snooze, read a book or daydream. A good spot is on the grass under the shade of a tree. (Keep in mind that the sun changes position throughout the day.) If you have a stand, you basically can put it anywhere, indoors or out, and move it when the sun invades.