here's what the superfly tarp looks like on the foam pool noodles version of the beams.
later, instead of the superfly I might make a poncho that can also be used as the bivy rain fly and give it a better and more custom fit.
the day for buying a sewing machine is coming soon,
but I'd have to get that bar sealer first ......
as a former photographer and making and modifying my gear to suit my personal requirements, this whole hammock thing is all very similar and I'm definitely in with the right crowd here! this is like a support group with those with the addiction of gear and diy and such .....Originally Posted by UncleMJM
I do like the idea of airbeams installed and the whole roll and go concept. Keep posting, I am enjoying the process and learning from you too.
No help here for the bivvy but maybe check out
this thread for some ideas on hanging in rocky areas.
thanks for that link!
I've been thinking about this for some time ....
how to hang from rocks,
but there's not anywhere at the beach to test this out!
I do want to make sure I have a few nuts with me
on the big bend river trip though.
It's fun to find new and different places and ways to hang!
I apologize, I sorta missed the point of your first post….geezer syndrome.
I kayak as well, using a Cape Horn 17, looks to be quite an adventure.
The arial photo reminds me of mosquito lagoon in N.E. Florida.
while i'm waiting on the airbeams I'm looking into my next project
and what others have done in making a dam.
I don't know if I should start a new thread in diy or not on this,
but it is for a/my blackbird so .....
so here's another's project, a bit different, but close:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=23569
I got to look into some 900 fill down now .... any suggestions?
interesting thread on down and down pillows:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=26667
down suppliers:
http://www.featherind.com/
http://sevenwondersdown.com/Products.html
http://thru-hiker.com/materials/insulation.php
http://www.feathertex.com/
http://www.hungariangoosedown.com/bulkb.htm
http://www.speerhammocks.com/
http://www.kookabay.com/
750 Fill Power Goose Down
3 ounce bags are $16 each with FREE shipping in the US!
how to work with down fill material:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=4362
and I got a name for this upgrade for the blackbird, the thunderbird ......
I found this .jpg here somewhere and I resized it for better viewing.
Last edited by spidennis; 01-07-2010 at 12:34.
I got my nemo gogo and morpho airbeams in and I'm a bit disappointed. they are a bit too flimsy and too thin skinned for me to want to use them. I'm gonna return them. they did however show me the two different tube diameters, 2.5" and 3.5", so when I do make these myself I'll have an idea of what I'd might try. I'm thinking 3" right now. I'm still waiting on my fabric samples. I still did not find any air inflation valves, so that puts a real big stopper to this development of the airbeams for now. the nemo valves were kinda nice though ........ Instead I'm gonna go with using tent poles for the supports instead of the airbeams. I mocked it back up with some windsurfing battens to simulate the tent poles and it looks real good. today I'll order some tent poles of some sort .... I'll make some "insertion boots" on the hammock for the ends of the poles to fit in which will spread out the hammock bottom and I'll add a top support where the center of the bug netting is to hold the tent pole arch in place. I'll include a loop on the outside so I can have a line as a pull out to hold the arch in place. My first trip is coming up soon, so I got to have my first version up and working asap. this would be my kayaking trip to big bend, tx on the rio grande river.
tent pole replacements:
http://www.polesforyou.com/
I spoke with tom here and got some poles shipping. for starters I'm going with 3 sections of 24" fiberglass poles. the diameter will be a size less the 5/16. Later I'll try out the aluminum in a 5 section once I got this all figured out. next I have to figure out how I'm gonna make my "end boots" for each end of the arch to fit in and sew it into place.
Here I have the bivy modeled using windsurfing batten to form the arches on either end with pull outs going to the head and foot ends. I could almost use the battens like this but they are taped together and are 6' long when straighten out. this is the reasoning for using the 3 sections of 24" tent poles, and later going to 5 sections.
I need to sew in some attachment points at the places shown in red. the yellow might be some reinforcement and a ridge line. the pink is the pullouts to keep it all upright. I'm starting out with fiberglass poles but I'm also gonna try aluminum which will be a bit thicker so I'll allow for that when I make my attachment "boots" for the pole ends. at the top of the arch I might use velcro and a plastic loop, thread it thru and back on to itself.
a view with the superfly tarp attached. it's not the best plan but if I got nothing to tie higher to this will have to do.
I think I got my next kayak ready for me to go pick up, cool ... all the pieces are coming together!
Last edited by spidennis; 01-13-2010 at 16:48.
since I can't find a valve, the air beams and dam diy project is put on hold, but I got to get a dam soon. I started a thread in pads about it.
still didn't get the tent poles in for the arches, maybe tomorrow (sat).
I also have the WBB that I love but also have Lawson Blue ridge hammock that can also be used as a bevy. It has come in handy a few times when no suitable trees could be found. I don"t backpack with it since it does weigh about 4 lbs,but if weight is not an issue its a good hammock!
I'll have my spare better than nothing two piece paddle with me so this is another option for the tarp (tent) plan.
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