Anybody do this. Just bought my first kayak and have a hankering to try it. Thinking just a very light shelter/tent and some backpacking gear.

Anybody try the hammock style tents? Like this:
HENNESSY HAMMOCKS.com: ultra-light line of jungle hammocks, ultra-comfortable camping hammock /chair/ tent combo

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Hammocks are extremely awkward and uncomfortable to me, we go camping and kayaking a lot, and a plain ole' tent has always worked just fine. We sleep on a Walmart airbed which is inflated with a battery powered pump and it works fine but I'm always a little nervous that it might get a hole in it. They cost less than 25 bucks so its a good idea to have a back up bed, just in case, but I would rather sleep on a blanket on the ground than in a hammock.

Man would a bear have a blast with that set up--looks like a human tetherball for a bear. I'll stick with the good old on the ground up high and dry tent any day.--Sorry--

Steve

I have done quite a bit but mine is a tandem. I use a Kelty 3 man tent and store geat in the front, adjust the seat to balance.

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Front sight and squeeze

I'm not married to that style tent. Just found it intriguing.

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I tried a Hennessy hammock, but found it awkward to use, and uncomfortable, with inadequate back support. I replaced it with a tiny one-man tent that combined with a Thermarest mattress is much more accomodating. An item I'll happily endorse is the Jet Boil Personal Cooking System and its various accessories an ideal match for small boating and freeze dried meals, real coffee, &tc.

So, what kind of kayak did you get? I bought kayaks for my two sons and I last spring and we've had a blast with them. We've been on a number of day floats but we've not tried any overnight trips yet.

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I've been canoeing, hiking, camping, all that good outdoors stuff for years. I've recently moved to the world of hammocks, and I will NEVER be a "ground-dweller" again. The Hennessy hammock is a great hammock, but if you are not hiking in or out, I would go with a more extravitgant hammock. I've personally tried out and love the Hennesy Expedition.

If you get the pitch angle correct, you lay completly flat in the hammock. I personally don't sleep as well on mattresses as I do in a hammock. I actually go tie up my hammock in the yard some nights just to get a really good night sleep. One of the reasons I suggest the expedition is that it has a built in bug net and rain fly and is a good deal for the price. Shoot me a PM and we can talk more about hammocks, and I can direct you to an awesome forum that will answer any questions about hammocks.

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Cheers -Jeff

Could you explain how you can lay perfectly flat in a hammock? I'm having trouble visualizing that.

Actually you lay on a diagonal and ya can lay flat or with yer head or feet at almost whatever angle ya need- IF your hammock is sized right and hung properly. I lay flat in mine all the time and I am 6'5"

The worst part of sleeping in a hammock is the cold air moving under your back in cold weather. It may take you a bit to find the right insulation for YOU...

I do get a kick out of the folk who think a tent is so much more critter safe... fabric whether on the ground or a couple feet off the ground is gonna give the same level of bear protection I believe- the tent even less if ya think about it- a bear won't likely "step" on ya when yer in a hammock.

A hammock will also keep a lot of ground crawlers away- although not all.

We picked up 3 Pelican Pursuit 120's. Been out twice now. Great fun.

JJW, thanks for the words about the hammock tent. Very interesting.

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All right!! (Insert girl squeal!) I’m an admitted addicted recreational kayaker and in the planning stages of getting back into camping. I’m simply too many years past being a teenage girl to want to consider sleeping on the ground. The product I’m considering is the Hennessey Hammock Tent. My kayak, a Hennessy hammock with rain fly, and my favorite S&W Model 66 .357 and I’m ready to hit one of the local rivers on an adventure. Life in South Central Kentucky could become a lot more interesting once I start on my personal “bucket list” this year.

That gave me quite the visual! I actually like the concept of the hammock tent. Looks comfy, and less chance of snakes and gators crawling in your sleeping bag.

Kayak camping is a lot of fun, especially if you can get out to remote areas where the crowds and powerboats can't reach. I do that often, but mostly in coastal areas so a hammock, while nice, is not usually the best option due to lack of suitable trees on barrier island beaches. I do like the looks of those Hennessy Safari Deluxe hammocks though so may have to add one to my gear in case there are trees! Since my kayak is a large expedition sea kayak I can carry lots of gear eventhough I still chose to travel light if possible.

I have two tents that I use. A Eureka Backcountry 1 is good for most conditions if going solo, is not too expensive and is fairly compact/light. The best for compact, light and quick setup with a little more room is the Tarptent Cloudburst 2. They are not exactly cheap but are really good quality tents.

The second most important thing is my Thermarest self inflating matress. The ground seems a lot harder and colder now than it did when I was younger, even in soft sand. Since I'm mostly coastal camping in the warm south, I usually only take a couple or three Space Brand All Weather blankets, the heavier poly tarp type not the thin mylar survival type, rather than a sleeping bag. You get between two of those on top of a Thermarest in a good tent and you will stay plenty warm even down to the 30s. Plus they can be used as a rain tarp, hypothermia recovery, even emergency shelter if needed. Even better, since they are poly there are no issues if they get wet, just shake them in the wind and they are dry in no time.

Whatever you choose, makes sure it will all fit in a lightweight waterproof bag like the SealLine ones. No kayak storage compartment is waterproof no matter what the manufacturer claims, they will all get wet in extreme conditions. Plus they make a good headrest when filled with air or clothes and sealed. Here's a tip...put the bag in your kayak's storage compartment first, put your stuff in it, then seal the bag shut. A lot easier to do that way.

Have fun! Kayak camping adds a whole new dimension that sometimes more than just enhances the sport. I've had a few times where I spent the day battling Beaufort force 5+ conditions in 3-4 foot waves on open water and am glad my gear is able to provide some evening comfort!

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" I said, good DAY! "

I did a 115 mile solo kayak trip down the Copper River in Alaska.

I took a white water boat, a bigger one, and had room in the back for a proper tent, sleeping bag, thermarest, shotgun, 44 mag revolver, stove, and coffee. I didn’t eat very well though. Mostly top Ramon.

I’ve been sea kayaking too out of Valdez. Sea kayaks or lake type boats have tons of room in them. Way more than you’d take backpacking.

Emory