The bars on the original(which I think is the same as the Deluxe except the original had a removable Velcro bug net) and on the 2nd model called the UL, the bars are the same width head and foot. On the James River, the head end bars are wider than the foot end. ( as I think it is on the WBRR?)
The original BMBH was deeper and narrower than the following models and the WBRR. A lot of folks didn't like that, but after some learning curve and coming to appreciate the relative pros and cons, I decided I liked it about as well as any of the others. The deeper sides had pros and cons. I have had many great nights sleep in it, summer/winter, with an UQ or a pad. Many complained of the shoulder squeeze, and so did I at first. But I finally realized that if I simply crossed my arms over my torso, I had no true squeeze, and was very comfy overall. No knee extension, NO calf ridge, and with a nice pillow it was pretty much like laying in my bed. Using a JRB MW4 UQ simply clipped onto the hammock's UQ loops, I never, ever had any cold spots ANYWHERE, no matter how much I moved around. Just warm from head to heal. And I could sleep good that way, and have done so down to 10ºF, and many times 20 to 40.
But, my fav in that hammock was to either move just a little on my side, or all the way, and lean back into those deep sides. This was always comfy for me with legs straight, or somewhat fetal. Because the hammock was not very wide, pulling my knees up all the way into fetal was tricky, not quite enough room. But pulling my knees up some was very workable. I could get more fetal, but it was tricky. No matter, I slept good on my side. That eep, narrow hammock was a very snug cocoon in the winter.
If using that factory model, you would definitely be right at the limit for both height and weight. I am 6'1", an had all the room I needed. My weight has always been up and down between 200 and 226. I think 250 was the limit(EDIT: I mean the hammock's rated limit, not that I was 250), and I think the spreader bars were the limiting factor. Are you planning to build your own, an original model? If so, I will try to get the dimensions to you.
Also, have you considered building your own in the style of Hammock Tent 90? Comfy with and without a pad, pros and cons to each, but it is truly great for side sleeping, either fetal or legs straight. The current models are only rated for 200 lbs, but of course if building your own you could use a heavier, stouter fabric. No poles needed.
How do you think you would do side sleeping in this? A single layer JRB James River, I was playing around with my Speer SPE and CCF pad:
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Or this one, my old model(rated 220 lbs)Hammock Tent 90 with a NeoAir All Season in the pad pocket, with a top quilt on top of the pad just for fun and experimenting:
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On my side, fetal position, Hammock Tent 90:
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