Hammock in the Fish House?

[JimBuck]

I'm looking at sleeping options for my ice house. I've been thinking about using a few cots and folding them up and out of the way during the day. I'm trying to avoid bunks as my only windows are in the places that cots would otherwise be deployed.

The other idea was using a few hammocks for sleeping. My shack is 6x14 and the cots could fill a lot of space with just 2 of them deployed. Has anyone installed cots in there house and if so, how are they to sleep out of? Any experience or suggestions would be appreciated.

[dfv87]

We use cots in addition to our bunks if we have 3 guys in our 6.5 x 14 wheelhouse and they work fine. The best deal is if you only need 1 along wall opposite from heater. I slept fine on the cot and preferred it to the bunks, I used the cot over sleeping on the top bunk. A collapsable table is a must though as it can get crowded with cots down. We bought the Cbrand ones and they are ok.

[rugbymn]

You're probably going to have to reinforce the studs if you plan on hanging a hammock from them. Cots would be easier.

Also think about this: You're sleeping in your hammock after a few cocktails. It's dark. All of a sudden, you hear one of your rattle wheels go off. Next thing you know, you're azz over tea kettle with one foot stuck in the hammock, your arm down the hole, and your fish running away with your line, laughing all the way.

We all saw how difficult it was for Gilligan to get out of his hammock and he was sober and it was light out.

[JimBuck]

Thanks for chiming in guys.

dfv87, after roasting in nearly every single bunked ice house I've slept in I think I'd like to explore some other ideas (i.e. Cots & Hammocks). The collapsible table is a great idea, I could see things getting pretty tight with a few cots deployed.

rugby, I see your point! My next question was going to be about reinforcing studs etc. I'd rather not go to that extent if I need to start reinforcing the framework. I thought the cots might be nice to save on floor space for more rattle reels etc. but I could see how things could go downhill in a hurry in one of those. Your comparison to Gilligan was good for a few laughs and I'm sure it wouldn't be far off from the truth after a few barley pops.

[KidMoe]

rugby,

You do make an excellent point, the worst part being the lost fish.

However, I'd like hear if anybody has had hammocks in an ice house and how they really worked. The fish house i'm thinking of putting them in already has fairly stout studs and we have to redo the interior paneling anyway. It wouldn't be hard to add some eyebolts and try it.

[anchor man]

What if you built in bunks on hinges that fold up flat against the wall when not in use. Put a few hinged 2x4 under each bunk that fold out for extra support as well. Or, you could build in the bunks and have only 3/4 of each swing down into position, then the remaining 1/4 bunk is a permanent seat/stool/bench whatever you want to call it. This would help eliminate the need to bring chairs in and save space.

I fish out of a friends house and his has the permanent bench-portion in the middle-against the wall (with storage underneath), and the two sections on each side of the bench are what swing down to make it a bunk.

[clayton08]

What I am doing in my fishouse is putting a camper style fold down table in the back so you can sit and play cards and when its time to sleep fold it down and got a 3 ft bunk and theres a 3 ft above that too. On the one side i have a hinged 4ft bed that swings down when you gotta crash I got 3 kids and the old lady and there will be no problem with the way im doin it i like the 4ft bunk idea it was my gfs idea pretty good idea i built it so you can put 2 five gallon buckets on the corners instead of hanging chains. Everyone has there own ideas its best to go look around and see what other people do also i built my fishhouse 7ft4inches tall so i could put a small fan on the ceiling without smashing your head lol cuz we all know how hot the top bunks get!!

[cold one sd]

I have a 6 1/2'x12' wheel house with a storage box/bed in the front of it. When by buddies sleep in it they use cots and in the morning the cots, pillows and sleeping bags go out into the pickup to save space in the shack. I have room for a cot between the back doors and the heater and the other side has nothing in the way at all. At night the chairs and stuff we won't need go out into the pickup. I have a lot more room to fish by doing it this way.

[MJBaldwin]

We used to have hammocks in our hunting shack probably smaller than some guys fish houses. But the long story short is they stayed in there for that one weekend and that was it. Not only are they hard for a younger shorter guy to get out of your back will be hurting for the next two weeks. Go with the bunks or cots you will enjoy your weekend much more!