Cuben Fiber SUL Hammock

[gardenville]

I originally posted this on the "Bridge Hammock" thread. I was trying to understand the concept of the Bridge Hammock and see if one could be made out of Cuben Fiber. I asked a lot of questions and got a lot of very good information. This was my first slow step in testing Cuben for a Bridge Hammock.

I sort of got shut off at the Bridge Hammock thread so I am reposting it here and will just call it a new Cuben Hammock.

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Super Ultra Light (SUL) Cuben (Sort Of) Bridge Hammock - Pt 1

My first idea is to tie two knots on one end of the Cuben Fiber. This would save the weight of the edge cord and save me sewing a cord along both sides of the Cuben Fiber.

My thoughts are to tie one knot in the foot end like the Ed Speer Hammocks. This would be like my first Cuben Hammock but with a spreader bar on the head end of the hammock.

We are talking about a - Super Ultra Light (SUL) Bridge (sort of ) Hammock. I will replace all the black webbing you now see with my super light white cord as I have more time to continue working on this hammock.
If all things work OK I will work on a light weight spreader bar that might be usable someplace else on my gear list.

This is a very "rough draft" - first version.

The Cuben Fiber is used full width - 48" wide.

The spreader bar is 23" wide where the webbing is tied.

This will be a "no" sewing hammock.

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[Shadowmoss]

The link you posted before to your blog doesn't work anymore. Did you move the information someplace else?

[gardenville]

The link you posted before to your blog doesn't work anymore. Did you move the information someplace else?

Hi,

Everything is still the same -

http://ultraliteskunkworks.blogspot.com/

I have a problem myself at times.

The link should take you to the last entry.

[GrizzlyAdams]

on my current bridge hammock prototype the fabric extends past the spreader bars, and gathers beyond to form an endcap. Other bridge builders do this, in various ways.

If I scoot under the spreader bar a little, it has the effect of lifting up my head, and I need less of a pillow...more just something to close the gap between my neck and the bed of the hammock.

While your design is different, it looks to me like it will have the same effect, which may be a benefit (depending on how you look at it).

Grizz

[FanaticFringer]

I'd call it a bridge hammock myself. There's no absolute definitive definition of one IMO.
Good luck in your construction.

[gardenville]

I am working on a way to extend the use of my Cuben Fiber Hammock down to a low temperature such as 20 or so F.

I have always used a sleeping pad or my Stephensons Warmlight Down Air Mattress (DAM) inside my Hammock when I needed more insulation to keep my backside warm. When I made my Cuben Fiber Hammock I had less room inside the Cuben Hammock then I did in my Silk Hammock.

Paul, I friend of mine and Hammock Hanger had talked a lot about double bottom Hammocks. I didn't want to use another large piece of my Cuben Fiber just for a double bottom. This afternoon I had an idea, why not tie my Cuben Poncho/ Tarp under my Hammock. I have to make another larger Tarp so I could multi-use the Poncho / Tarp when necessary.

The following pictures tell the rest. The temperature while I was doing this was 38 degrees F with a nice wind blowing. I have to say I am pleased so far with how this has turned out. To test the setup I got into the Hammock. My weight presses me into the Down Air Mattress. The longer a was in the Hammock the warmer my back got. The Poncho/Tarp edges fold over some and encase the Down Air Mattress holding it in place.

How much does all this weigh:

Cuben Hammock Hanging - 6.65 ounces
Double Bottom - Cuben Poncho / Tarp - 2.8 ounces.
Warmlight Down Air Mattress - 24.53 ounces.
Inflate Bag - 2.8 ounces.

Total weight: 36.78 ounces

I am not real happy about the weight of the DAM but I have used it for several years and trust it down to near 0 degrees on the ground.

I will be working on what I use for top insulation over the next few days. I may be able to make back some of the weight I gave up for the DAM

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[gnome]

Do you do any kind of hemming on the edges? What's Cuben like to sew?

Cuben would make a killer tarp.

I have had a C. hammock for some time, gathered ends. You need no hemming ,H 6.3oz/(C. doesn't (can't) ravel. )makes a great tarp,6oz, (10 by 9) don't sew use 2 sided tape. my weights are about the same. as thread, I use a 16 oz OQ, and a 12 oz. underquilt (down)

[jeffjenn]

What weight/type cuben fiber do you guys use for tarps?

[tpkanu]

I tried making a hammock out of waterproof silnylon and had problems with condensation wetting my sleeping quilt. Then I tried a silnylon "taco" around my breathable hammock and had condensation problems with that too.

Won't you have a similar problem with cuben?

[gardenville]

I used the lightest Cuben for my Tarp - 0.33 ounce, more or less - but may use the 54" wide Cuben and that is 0.44 ounces per sq yard, more or less, on my new one.

I have had no condensation problems with my Cuben Hammock.

I also have a full Cuben sleeping bag that I made and condensation has been no problem with it.