Claytor Diamond Fly - leak

**idymalgia** · 09-01-2012, 10:22

Hi there.
I would like to share my first experience with overnight in the Claytor hammock.
I posted this reply last week where is described shortly what service Tom provided. Overall I was pleased.

Two days ago we went with my friend in to the woods, to get our first experience with hammock. Set up was quit easy (packing also) and I admit we should choose 1 or 2 feet's longer distance between trees (as you can see on foto in album). Hammock itself is great, easy to get in, get out, heavy-duty, comfortable.
About 9:30PM thunderstorm hit us. Heavy raining, lightning all over the sky. It was pretty good condition to test Claytor Hammocks and D Fly. After two hours we checked if tarp is ok and not leaking. There comes biggest disappointment. My Diamond Fly was leaking in all seam and after few hours you could see drops of water on the bottom side of tarp. My friend's Fly had factory defects. They can be seen if you check it against light. It is like you pull the string out of it. Weak part of tarp, which didn't hold a water at all. Consequence if this was 1/3 of hammock wet. Something we really didn't expected.

Result = we have to buy some more durable tarps, because Claytor Fly didn't succeed in condition quiet usual in our country.

Regards,
Ondra

**Shug** · 09-01-2012, 10:29

Normally seams on tarps required seam sealing.....could be the problem with your drip problem. Not as sure on your friends.
Good luck with all that.
Shug

**bear bag hanger** · 09-02-2012, 06:48

I agree with Shug, you need to seam seal the tarps. If you do a good job, your leaks should go away. But, I really think the tarp manufacturers need to seam seal their tarps before they sell them!

**barchetta** · 10-02-2013, 13:35

Originally Posted by bear bag hanger

I agree with Shug, you need to seam seal the tarps. If you do a good job, your leaks should go away. But, I really think the tarp manufacturers need to seam seal their tarps before they sell them!

Any decent manufacturer should tape their seems from the factory! I hear a lot of people talking up the Clayton Hammocks and taping seams pretty standard.

**BackPackHiker** · 10-04-2013, 09:54

I set up the tarp this morning and it is supposed to rain on and off again all day. I am going to set up the hammock when I get home from work and sleep in the back yard overnight, it is supposed to rain all night. This will make for a good test on the quality of the tarp.

I will let you know.

**BackPackHiker** · 10-05-2013, 15:54

Hello,

So I set up the tarp all day yesterday during off and on rain and there was no leaks when I got home from work. I slept in it last night in the back yard during some rain as well with no leaks. I am also going to sleep in the DD Frontline tonight using the same tarp. Hopefully I get a downpour to see how it holds up but so far so good.

Here is my video from last night,

**BackPackHiker** · 10-06-2013, 18:25

So I set up the tarp on Friday Morning and it rained on and off all day, I slept in it that night during the rain with no leaks. It also rained on Saturday and I slept it in Saturday night with no leaks. I just took it down today (Sunday) and there was still no sign of a leak. The hammock held up well during my testings. Perhaps you should contact Claytor and as them what they think if it is your first use and you experienced a bad leak. Also remember the rain may have soaked your webbing suspension causing your hammock to get wet.

You can check out some images here: http://wp.me/p39G85-4l

**dakotaross** · 11-22-2013, 10:04

Originally Posted by barchetta

Any decent manufacturer should tape their seems from the factory! I hear a lot of people talking up the Claytor Hammocks and taping seams pretty standard.

It sounds to me like your opinion is based on what was typical for tent manufacturers. I think you'll see that most hammock tarp "manufacturers" charge for seam sealing as an option. Frankly, I don't know why they don't do it anyway - perhaps its a weight issue giving the buyer the option of not sealing for that reason, not sure. I can tell you I've not seam sealed my Toxaway - been meaning to, but have not had an issue with it.

**ClayTurner** · 11-22-2013, 14:04

The Claytor JH is built well, but the stock suspension will soak up water like a sponge and transmit it directly to your hammock. Easy to upgrade to strap/buckles or whoopies. I haven't had any problems with the tarps, except that they are a bit small if you have any kind of wind driven rain. I like the Claytor, but use it with upgraded suspension and tarp.

**Riverrat** · 09-02-2012, 08:11

maybe I am all wet here

... but on the diamond fly the seams are below / out of the way of the hammock.. When it started leaking did it run on down to the end of the dripline area. I am perfectly happy with the Claytor JH I have and understand why the seam on the JH is how it is... It is supposed to work like roof shingles... High parts up roof and the lower seam is underneath allowing the rain to run down hill with minimal resistance.

I have been through a pretty big storm just about a month ago "2.5 inch" thunderstorm and the fly did what it needed. If I had any gear that far out on the drip edge... I expected it to get wet.
It does look like you have a pretty good pitch on your fly to let the rain run off... did any of your gear get wet?