would anyone consider making one of these?

[lazarus]

... here's my dream hammock.

but i'm just a dreamer, not a maker, unfortunately. i wondered if anyone would consider making and selling me a hammock like this -- my goal is to have a crazy light-as-possible but comfortable, easy to use fall/winter/spring hammock. maybe under 3 pounds?:
1. start with a shortish length 250 lb capacity gathered end hammock, add a ridge line and set up for HH style tree huggers. (I do think this still is the absolute lightest suspension...)
2. take a marker and mark 3" above my body line when lying on the diagonal.
3. use 800+ down and make a baffled UQ which only covers the bottom of the hammock to the marker line, and only has dwr fabric on the bottom -- using the quilt fabric for the top side of the UQ to save wieght. The UQ will only cover my profile plus the 3"...
4. make a TQ with foot box which is sewn onto the hammock just below the marker line on one side of the quilt -- to make a tight seal. Plan on wearing a psolar facemask and jrb down hood.
5. here's the wierdest part --make a partial tarp which is sewn onto the same side as the TQ, with a skirt of about 8 or 10 inches which hangs down past the edge of the hammock. The partial tarp is fastened HH style to the ridge line, and then only staked on one side -- so that the protected area is ONLY on one side of the hammock, and can be a bit bigger than skimpy. Why waste tarp on two sides?

crazy or what?

[Ramblinrev]

The tarp design may be ok for fall and spring use. However for winter use I think you want as much coverage as you can for two reasons. One is wind protection. The winter winds can really create havoc with trying to keep heat from blowing away. Plus when pitched tight and low the tarp can serve as a form of over cover keeping the heat in the hammock. Just my thoughts

[HappyCamper]

...
The partial tarp is fastened HH style to the ridge line, and then only staked on one side -- so that the protected area is ONLY on one side of the hammock, and can be a bit bigger than skimpy. Why waste tarp on two sides?

crazy or what?

Sounds like the Baker Hut style shown on JRB site only skimpier? Plus with JRB tarp you have option of changing tarp for more protection. Site selection would be EXTREMELY important. Next to impossible? Wind direction can change on you when raining or snowing.

But hey! I love dreamers, keep going! I never thought the Whoopie Slings would take over the world, but someday . . .

[MacEntyre]

Lazarus, you can easily prototype your idea without sewing. Why don't you use available products and configure them the way you have described? You could prove the concept before sewing.

- MacEntyre

[lazarus]

thanks guys. i'm used to using a stock hh tarp right now, and i also use a stock hh overcover on my simple gathered end hammock when temps fall below thirty, so i don't mind skimpy. remember, the goal is really light! i'm actually hoping that fastening the tarp along one side of the hammock will make the hammock weathertite without weight penalty, while still allowing for ventilation to the other side. i should have mentioned it -- my "design" temp would be 15 degrees for comfortable, and 0 with some vapor barrier clothing and... well, wearing everything i'd have with me.

[MacEntyre]

How about this idea?

Make a waterproof tarp that provides rain protection, rectangular shaped and suspended overhead like a traditional tarp on one side of the hammock, while the other side becomes one half of your OverCover. Make the half of the OverCover that is under the tarp out of breathable fabric, and let it open for entry.

- MacEntyre