DIY Bridge Hammock

**Ryvr** · 04-20-2011, 11:45

So after finding an amazing deal on a arid digicam fabric I decided to make an attempt at making my very own bridge hammock.

Dimensions are 90" length, 52" width and a 5" parabolic cut. Using JRB spreader bars and also showing off my DIY duck down UQ.

Had a minor failure in the end panels (I miscalculated the overal width so one of them gave away.) Dant8ro helped by rigging up my suspension triangles and whoopie slings.

My next one will see some minor refinments beyond the obvious of fixing the end panel dimensions. Next one will be slightly shorter, 90" worked but I felt 86" would have been perfect, and a slightly deeper parabolic cut of 6.5" would have worked better for my weight.

The 5" left me with a slightly less then flat lay. Not by any means uncomfortable, and we noticed (Dan and I) that when on your side it supported much better then the deeper cut of my BMBH. This could be coincidence or maybe there is actual math I dont know lol.

Anyway chech it out and let me know what you think any feed back is welcome towards getting the next attempt perfect.

Full size showing the max flatness of the lay

Close up of the previous shot

Shot with DIY UQ (Thank you Odd Duck)

Failed Foot end panel

Dant8ro's Suspension triangles

This is Dan, Camera Angle makes it look narrow but its actually very roomy.

More pics available in my gallery check it out.

Ryvr

**[o]TTeR** · 04-20-2011, 11:47

Looks awesome Ryvr, especially in desert digi

, congrats on another DIY job well done! Can't wait to see it in the field

**TiredFeet** · 04-20-2011, 12:19

Showed TeeDee your pictures. His immediate comment: increase your ridge line and you will get a flatter lay end to end.

Experiment by increasing your ridge line in increments until you feel the middle is higher than the ends, then decrease the ridge line slightly. You can find the flattest end to end lay that way.

For us that is the most comfortable ridge line length.

If you find the ridge line becomes too long, we can then give you some advise on how to shorten the ridge line considerably and keep the same flat lay.

**BER** · 04-20-2011, 12:26

Wow, looks nice Ryvr. Your stitching is so straight! Like the desert digi camo too.
What is the length of the JRB spreaders? With your 52" width, your bridge looks so much deeper than the one I made...probably less tippy feeling though.

**dant8ro** · 04-20-2011, 14:38

I have to say that this is a really comfortable side sleeper.

**creativeKayt** · 04-20-2011, 14:40

WHOOT! Good job! That looks like a right fine addition to your hangin' arsenal
and ought to give you many comfy nights beneath the stars.

**Lonely Raven** · 04-20-2011, 14:43

Originally Posted by TiredFeet

Showed TeeDee your pictures. His immediate comment: increase your ridge line and you will get a flatter lay end to end.

Experiment by increasing your ridge line in increments until you feel the middle is higher than the ends, then decrease the ridge line slightly. You can find the flattest end to end lay that way.

For us that is the most comfortable ridge line length.

If you find the ridge line becomes too long, we can then give you some advise on how to shorten the ridge line considerably and keep the same flat lay.

How do you increase the ridge line? It appears he doesn't have one.

**chickenwing** · 04-20-2011, 15:09

Good looking bridge you got there.

**dant8ro** · 04-20-2011, 15:21

I assume that TeeDee means that we should tighten up the suspension so that the distance a ridgeline would normally span is increased. I.e. the hammock is stretched tighter between the trees lifting the center up. I think there is another test hang tommorrow morning, may have to try this. I'm sure Ryvr will be hard at work sewing mark III tonight.

Dan.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 04-20-2011, 15:24

Originally Posted by Lonely Raven

How do you increase the ridge line? It appears he doesn't have one.

indeed he doesn't. The point is though is to pull the ends of the hammock farther apart, as you would if there was a ridgeline, you made it longer, and you strung up the hammock to the point where the ridgeline is level, if not taut.

What this does is straighten out the suspension curve, which pulls up more on the middle of the hammock than on the ends, which exerts more resistance to going down when the hammock is loaded.

With a deep curve, say 12", you can pull the ends apart too far and have the middle come up so far that you have an inverse banana shape getting in. There really is no danger of that happening with a 5" deep curve.