DIY Bug net design?

[Pipsissewa]

Has anyone ever made a bug net similar to this? I'm thinking of a rectangular bottom made out of ripstop with guy out points at each corner guyed to the ground with shock cord. And a curved zipper (on the long side). I envision it hanging from my structural ridge line with the hammock hanging in the center of the net. But maybe the difference between the hammock when it's empty and when it's occupied will make it unworkable. I don't want to waste my fabric if there's an obvious design flaw that I'm missing. Thoughts? Do you think it'll work?

[JerryW]

I think it would work fine, but one of my favorite things about hammocking is that nothing ever has to touch the ground. I like the clean and dry aspect of it.


Jerry

[Pipsissewa]

I agree with you Jerry. I thought the bottom of the net would be suspended in the air. My fear is the drop of the ridge line when you get in it will either make the hammock touch the bottom of the net or make the net too loose. Maybe shock corded guy lines to the ground will make up for that. Oh--yeah. Shock cords and stakes will be on the ground... . Is that what you meant? Thanks for your advice. I'm lucky to get input from the Master of the DIY!

[Timberrr]

Take a look at the ENO Guardian Bug Net. I think the concepts are close.
http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.c...n-bug-net.html
With the ENO system, you put up your bug net first (on its own light weight ridgeline) and then hang the hammock inside it with your suspension straps passing out each end. They use a straight zipper, top to bottom, in the center of one side, and cinch closures on each end where your hammock suspension passes through. They don't have the extra "floor space" that this would have, but it would only drag the ground anyway.
I like it because it gives plenty of room inside.
The ENO also doesn't use tie-outs. Tie-outs might be nice. So Gumbo and I are tinkerin' with ways to add them. Should we sew them on? Use binder clips? Next hang we'll be tryin' out some ideas.
Good luck. Please post your ideas as they evolve.

~Timberrr

[Pipsissewa]

Timberrr: Adding guy outs to a net is what got me to thinking about a rectangular bottom and triangular ends. I hate the way bug nets drag on the ground and that's what I'm trying to eliminate. I found these pictures which are close to what I'm thinking about but NOT on the ground. I want to suspend it just around my hammock. I think it'll be nice and taut so it'll be easy to see through and not drag on the ground. Let me know how adding guy outs to your bug net turns out. Maybe a gusset tapered on both ends is the way to go (like a flat bottomed canoe).