DIY Fail

[fuzzie]

Here are some pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarlisleTroop189/Hammock#

[gargoyle]

Fuzzie, Nice stand.
Your foam uq looks workable..why do you say its a fail?
If the fit is bad, try some darts in the foam.
The "Fuzzie Pod" looks good too.

[fuzzie]

I think I 1) made it too long and 2) the foot end seems too drafty.
Darts may work...but I sewed the cover shut, so I will have to rip it apart to try.

I'm leaning toward the 0* pod with a 0* bag inside, just in case it is frigid out.

[Grinder]

I am an underquilt virgin, so my comments are worthless, however, when has that ever stopped me>?

They say there is a steep learning curve with underquilts. I have read many times of people freezing at first (reference "Certain" before her through hike (the gal with the wonder woman avatar picture who was a regular three years ago. I don't recall her user name on this forum. Michele was her real name)< I just checked and Michele is her user name>

Before you throw money at the problem, I'd experiment in the yard some more. I think you're close to getting it. It looks like your quilt is not coming up around the sides.

And Good luck!!

[gates]

fuzzie, glad you posted your diy uq results. I'm working on a wind shield for my uq and over complicating it. Maybe darts like gargoyle said or narrowing it more like a football at the ends or a draft tube at the ends will keep you warmer. Most important - you had an idea and you're making it happen. Keep on!

[fuzzie]

UPDATE: Hung all weekend at HVSR...it was very windy and very cold...the new pad did just fine.
I did, however, hedge my bets. I put a 0* bag on top of the pad, and I slept in a 0* bag in the hammock. It got down the teens and was very windy Saturday night. I wasn't cold at all, but I am nor sure if it would have held up without the 2nd bag as an under quilt.
I do knot I need a winter tarp. The Kelty Noah 9 is a nice three season tarp, but it was no match for the wind. I think something with doors on it might work out much better...but the one I was looking at was on backorder.
I'll get some photos up soon.

[jeremesh]

I think I 1) made it too long and 2) the foot end seems too drafty.
Darts may work...but I sewed the cover shut, so I will have to rip it apart to try.

I'm leaning toward the 0* pod with a 0* bag inside, just in case it is frigid out.

So it wasn't a fail... you learned something...

[Stalker]

Just remember that an underquilt only has to be good enough to make you comfortable. For example: If you are planning to sleep naked with no sleeping bag in a cloth hammock, your underquilt should be super. But, if you are sleeping in a 0 degree bag you don't need it to be with much loft. I have found that a snug fit is the key to the underquilt. Not snug to the bottom of your hammock but to the sides and have at least 2" of air between the two. As for my underquilt, I use a homemade fleece one that I made custom for my hammock. I had it a little easier since my hammock is not of a-typical design. It is just a single sheet of fleece yet I have it overlap into my hammock on both sides. It's hard to describe yet I have yet to be cold in it. Coldest was 7 degrees and I was sleeping in a 0 degree Wiggies bag. The pic under my name is actually my set-up from last New Jersey Winter Hang. Notice the rainbow fleece poking out under.

Actually here is a better view of it in the snow http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...d=553729320016

[fuzzie]

Good point...thanks.
Here is a shot with the setup in background, mine is the one under the Kelty.
http://carlisletroop189.com/gallery/...ry=49&pid=6506

[sigma_pete]

... As for my underquilt, I use a homemade fleece one that I made custom for my hammock. ...

Stalker, could you briefly (or not so) describe how you made your fleece underquilt? If this would be a thread hijack, please PM me but I'm sure others would like to know as well. Thanks.

I've been improvising with a fleece liner bag and sheet of Tyvek to good effect down to 50 degrees so far and will be testing it to low/mid 30's this weekend at the FL hang. I've got a DIY double layer hammock (and just made two more for my boys) and have been trying out different configurations to see what works best for a low budget setup before making something permanent.