Enjoying a water hammock is pure fun. However, most of us don’t know that the inflatable variants of water hammocks are not created equal. You can easily float on a mesh hammock in calm lake waters, but the same hammock will be difficult to anchor in tidal currents or ocean swell.
If you are looking to invest in an expandable water hammock, here are some things you should know before purchasing.
- Understand what you are working with
A water hammock is not a pool float. It is a semi-rigid, inflatable structure with a thick-bordered frame and a mesh center. You can sit partially in water and remain suspended at the surface.
The size of the hammock is not the only important thing. Other important factors include tie-down options, sidewall thickness, and mesh construction. Look for an inflatable water hammock with almost 8-inch sidewalls for edge buoyancy. At the corners, there should be stainless steel D-rings for anchoring.
- Lakes – the ideal place for water hammocks
Expandable water hammocks were originally built for lakes. Lakes have minimal current, calm water, and predictable conditions.
You can anchor loosely off a dock or pontoon, and the hammock can drift gently within a short range. The kids can jump in and out without the hammock spinning in the water current. You can use elastic dock lines to keep the hammock tethered. You can also keep the hammock in the water for hours without fighting the water. Lakes contain freshwater, which is good for the hammock’s materials.
Just watch the wind on a lake. Ensure that the hammock is well-anchored so that it doesn’t drift and spin. For water hammocks, lakes are their natural habitat.
- Rivers – depend on the water current
Enjoying a water hammock in a river is a different experience altogether. On a summer afternoon, enjoying a hammock on a slow, wide river can be wonderful. You can anchor the hammock to a sandbar or tie it to a solid object. The mesh feels cool and comfortable in the gentle river current.
However, a change in the current can alter how a hammock behaves in river water. Fast-moving river water creates drag on the mesh center, and it stresses the anchor points. If the tie-down system is not solid, the hammock will fold, flip, or drift downstream.
- Ocean and saltwater – pick the right spot
Ocean or saltwater is not the ideal setting for water hammocks. You have to pick the spot carefully. Look for a calm, protected anchorage or a shallow coastal bay with minimal waves. A protected beach lagoon or a sheltered harbor cove is ideal. In these conditions, the hammock is like a private floating island.
Check out furthercustoms.com. They offer a wide range of expandable water hammocks suitable for all water bodies and conditions.
Wrapping it up
An important factor in a good experience with the water hammock is how you anchor it. The anchor setup is the area where people go wrong. Learn the trick and have a great experience!
