About this project
This is Hammocraft.
The Hammocraft has evolved from half a dozen different designs that we tested, tweaked, and tampered with over a period of 10 years. The Hammocraft is designed to sling up to 5 hammocks atop paddle boards, river rafts, kayaks, and even on dry land...essentially wherever or whatever you dream up as a hammock dock.
The Specs
The Hammocraft frame comes with:
- High-quality aluminum poles (6061 T6 clear anodized aluminum)
- Stainless steel corners (304 stainless steel corners with black UV resistant powdercoating)
- Quick connecting spring clips (304 stainless steel spring clips) for easy setup and take down
- Four Hammocraft nylon webbing straps with zinc plated cam buckles for attaching the frame to your floatable of choice
- A carrying case for your Hammocraft frame
When we initially launched the Hammocraft in May 2016, the biggest complaint was cost. We listened to your feedback and now we need your support to achieve some economy of scale by purchasing aluminum and stainless steel in bulk to lower the cost of material. With the success of this Kickstarter, we will be able to provide you with a substantially lower price than our historical $995 price tag.
The Rewards
If you want to make your own Hammocraft Frame go for it! Our plans are listed as a reward so you can make your own or innovate on our system to your heart's content (some assembly required : ) The reward will be sent as a .pdf document suitable for printing at 11" x 17".
This shirt is fantastic for wearing anywhere and everywhere. We don't skimp on quality, and wear these shirts all over the place! The shirt is a heathered dark grey with our snazzy logo on the front and back.
The Hammocraft Hat is a flexfit hat embroidered with our snazzy logo. It's a nice addition to your head.
The Hammocraft Hoodie is the perfect companion for the fabrication shop, or a brisk day on the lake. The hoodie is black with our nifty logo on the front and back.
The Evolution
Growing up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, we've always had an affinity for both the outdoors and hammocking. Once we had conquered the art of camping in hammocks, we took it to the next level in what we dubbed "extreme hammocking" by slinging hammocks in risky locations. This resulted in some extreme hammocking endeavors which we all luckily survived unscathed.
Thrill-seekers & contraption-tinkers
Hybrid schemes have always been our thing by finding joy in the outdoors but also inside metal shops shooting sparks and repurposing junk piles. The next step fulfilled our fascination with relaxation and transportation. Summer 2002, we welded a hammock frame to the side of a rusted-out 1973 Toyota truck - our take on a recreational vehicle. Float-flying at breakneck speeds fueled our lust for invention. Unfortunately no picture evidence exists of this idea and design.
Hammock bikes
The next stage of the evolution brought hammock bikes and trikes to Burning Man. These devices were used for pedaling around the playa while constructing one of our other successful Kickstarter campaigns called the Flutter Tunnel.
The transition of hammocking to water
Weary of asphalt and dust, we decided the only thing we hadn't done with a hammock was to relax on the water! With the first prototype, we were able to successfully be in hammocks over the water but it was heavy, too unstable, and difficult to transport. It was built on a pair of windsurfing boards and comprised an old picnic table and rudimentary cable guy wire system. Let's be honest, it would make Tom Sawyer jealous...
Evolving the prototype
To address the stability issues of the first prototype, our next iteration was commissioned by a friend to fit on a white water raft. While this version was strong and stable, it was extremely heavy (being made out of trailer hitch gauge steel) and difficult to transport.
The evolution to success!
Over the years, we've tinkered with many variations and prototypes with the following goals in mind:
1. Light enough for one person to carry the frame
2. Maintain its strength and capacity to hold up to 5 people
3. Easy to transport by breaking down and fitting into a ski bag
4. Easy to assembly and disassemble within 5-10 minutes
We are proud to announce through a lot of R&D (Research & Development combined with Relaxing & Drinking) that we have created a solid Hammocraft design that accomplishes all of these goals.
Rigorous product testing
Although we do not in any way endorse, recommend, encourage, and, in fact, now that we've become a company, strictly prohibit utilizing the Hammocraft on water currents stronger than Level 1 in accordance with the International Scale of River Difficulty, we felt obligated to put our prototypes through rigorous stress tests as seen below:
Don't own a floatation device? No problem!
Even if you're not a water lover, the Hammocraft™ is the perfect hammock frame for the front yard or camping where there are no trees. It's the perfect way to relax by yourself or to hang out with multiple friends. We've even attached wheels on the frame to cruise around on roads! DIY enthusiasts rejoice in the ability to hack and modify the Hammocraft frame for your own adventure.
The Hammocraft also fits on kayaks!
Don't have SUPs or a river rafts but have kayaks? The Hammocraft works great with those too!
The water is calling and we must go
Throughout the evolution of the Hammocraft we have suspended friends on rivers, rapids, ocean swell, countless camping spots, and many many lakes and slow rivers! With the Hammocraft, we've found the ultimate balance of thrill and chill. Easy to transport and assemble, we can set sail in a matter of minutes and float the day away.
Flotation devices and hammocks
Kickstarter does not allow us to offer rewards that we do not make. As such, we are unable to offer flotation devices and hammocks as part of our Kickstarter campaign. However, we have made this quick guide of recommendations:
Inflatable SUP's
- Boards over 11'6" in long x 6" thick are ideal for 2-5 people
- Boards under 10' long x 4" thick are not advisable
- Giant boards over 16' should be wider than 6' to support 2-5 people
Rigid SUP's
- Boards over 11'6" x 4" thick work for 2-4 people
- Boards over 10' x 4" thick work for 2 people
- Boards shorter than 10' are not advisable
White water rafts
- Rafts wider than 66" work great
- Rafts less than 60" wide are not advisable
Floating Docks
- Docks larger than 7' square will work out great
Inflatable kayaks (duckies)
- Inflatable kayaks longer than 12' work great
- (2) two person inflatable kayaks will support 2-5 people
Rigid kayaks
- Open cockpit kayaks can be used, but a cockpit cover is advisable
- Kayaks longer than 12' will work great
Other accessories
While these are not included with the Hammocraft frame, we have utilized these accessories on our Hammocrafts to help enhance the experience:
Trolling motor: Although the Hammocraft can be powered via paddles, we have successfully attached a trolling motor to the frame. Trolling motors have been great to cruise around the waters with very little effort. Check with your local, state and country officials for any potential laws and permits that may be needed when attaching a motor to the frame.
Dance floor: We have found that putting solid wood in the middle of two paddle boards can provide a great area for additional people to join in on the fun and hold any extra gear or coolers.
Portable speakers: When you're not enjoying the beautiful sounds of nature, a portable speaker is ideal for jamming out on a Hammocraft.
Koozies w/ suction cups: Although regular koozies are sufficient, koozies with a suction cup are idea for Hammocrafting. They allow the user to attach their koozie to most floatable surfaces.
Anchor: An anchor is ideal for keeping the Hammocraft in a localized area. Don't have an anchor? Bring a long rope and attach it to land, a dock or tie a knot around a large rock and drop it into the water.
Fishing pole holders: What could be better than fishing while hammocking?!
Safety
While the Hammocraft is made for blissful relaxation, safety should always be a top priority. We recommend that the standard precautions associated with any water/outdoor activity should also be followed, including but not limited to:
- Properly wear life jacket/buoyancy aid and heel-toe-covered rubber shoes, as well as clothes suitable for water sports such as swimming suits, swimming trunks, sun cap, light, permeable and fit long-sleeved clothes
- Use the Hammocraft on water currents NO stronger than Level 1 in accordance with the International Scale of River Difficulty.
- Obtain basic swimming skills
- Proper means of making emergency call (cell phone, light, whistle)
- First aid kit
- Keep alert and take note of the changes in weather and the conditions of the water
- Keep physical strength for the return journey
- Pay attention to sunscreen protection
- Have basic knowledge in the equipment used
- Hammocraft with companions and look after one another
- Inform reliable people of your destination, time of return journey and ways of contact with your companions
- Keep clear of the navigation waterway, mooring area and fishing boats
Risks and challenges
The biggest risk and challenge relates to the manufacturing process. Our manufacturing runs have been in limited quantity and thus we have had to pay a high price for the materials. This is why we are turning to the Kickstarter community to enable us to purchase materials in bulk and offer our backers a significantly lower price.
We are a small but nimble team dedicated to an idea we believe will bring more joy into the world. However, sometimes material orders are delayed by weather, or equipment breaks and due to these realities, our promised delivery date has the smallest possibility of being delayed. However, having made quite a few Hammocraft frames already, we are confident in the process and final product. We will be proactive in keeping all backers updated on the progress of the manufacturing process and any potential changes to their delivery date.
The other challenge is meeting our Kickstarter goal. The world hasn't seen too many floating hammock contraptions, and we can only hope that you will share our passion as wide as possible so we can meet the Kickstarter goal and ensure we have the funding to make the purchases that will fund the production. Even if you aren't able to back this campaign, we'd appreciate your help spreading the word on social media!
We greatly appreciate all the Hammocraft love the world has shown us thus far and, with your support, we can continue to grow the fun and awesomeness of the Hammocraft!
-Bland and Bryan
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