Took my new Spindrift for an afternoon spin

**ilikemyhammoc** · 10-30-2017, 19:40

This is a neat setup! how's your overall weight for the whole thing?

**sturgeon** · 10-31-2017, 05:44

Originally Posted by ilikemyhammoc

This is a neat setup! how's your overall weight for the whole thing?

Good question. I'm trying to lighten it up as much as I can without physically altering anything. I switched out the stock webbing strap suspension for Dutch's Cinch Bugs with dyneema polypro straps (not a fan of whoopies--prefer straps for now) and I've got carbon fibre spreader bars on the way. I will weigh it all when they arrive and get back to you.

**sturgeon** · 10-31-2017, 05:49

Originally Posted by boatstall

When I bought mine, I had Brandon install 30" zippers in each end. Initial plan with the zippers was to be able to get a pad in and out, along with the bars, and then bundle the hammock, quilts, and spindrift all together. And that works great. Even when not using a pad, just to remove the bars, and then bundle the entire rig. I typically just stuff the entire rig unto a dry bag, to pack the canoe.

But an unexpected, and unplanned bonus of having the end zippers, is that if I detect any building excess moisture, I simply crack the doors/windows open at the top, and then unzip the end zipper by my head. I can't at my age unzip the foot end comfortably, but just the head end unzipped just enough to create a tiny draft, has worked so far.

Brandon was smart enough to use zippers that had the zipper pulls on both the interior and exterior, so it is simple to just grab while laying there, and unzip to adjust.
I think that with the end horizontal zippers being a few inches below the spreader bar level, and the zippers on the doors being at the apex of the door arch, together creates almost a chimney effect on warmer air, and extracts moisture much better than just using just the door zippers to vent.

I would imagine that you could add your own zipper. Brandon might be willing to retro fit yours for a fee.

That is a very interesting post. I'm surprised the pad zippers are not offered as an option, but I guess the zippers add a lot of weight.

I think I will see how deep I go down the wintercamping rabbit hole before I get that mod. 2QZQ (they do zipper modifications for Hennessy hammocks) should be all over this!

**Draggingcanoe** · 11-05-2017, 16:58

Pad zippers are listed as an addition for the Spindrift.

**sturgeon** · 11-05-2017, 17:37

Originally Posted by Draggingcanoe

Pad zippers are listed as an addition for the Spindrift.

Wow! I totally missed that on the website page.

I'll show myself out...

**drsolarmolar** · 11-05-2017, 18:09

Originally Posted by sturgeon

Wow! I totally missed that on the website page.

I'll show myself out...

If you exclusively use an underquilt these extra zippers aren't really needed IMO. I had a foot end zipper put in on my Spindrift because I thought I'd use a pad more, but turns out I got a full-length Lynx and that's my go to UQ year round. But if you do want to use a pad then the zippers are helpful.

**IRONFISH45** · 11-06-2017, 10:00

Originally Posted by Draggingcanoe

Pad zippers are listed as an addition for the Spindrift.

Zippers on the Spindrift are new, since I last looked, which was not too long ago.

**Muddy Creek** · 11-06-2017, 12:36

Originally Posted by IRONFISH45

Zippers on the Spindrift are new, since I last looked, which was not too long ago.

Another example of a company that listens to customers' ideas for ways to improve their products. I was regretting not getting a pad zipper for mine until I swapped out the hardware for my Ridgerunner with cinch bugs. Now it's a lot faster to pull off the end of the Spindrift for access or to remove it completely.

Wayne