New Blackbird XLC Problems

**JEF989** · 06-03-2014, 08:05

I received my new Blackbird XLC with Top Cover last night. It took 19 days from order date to get it. I took it to the backyard for first time set up. I was so excited, and planned to sleep in it last night. It set up real quick and easy and I climbed in for a test run. When inside I couldn't find the ridge line. Whats up with that. After futher inspection I discovered the ridge line was not attached to the head of the hammock. When I climbed inside The unattached ridge line pulled thru the gathered end and was laying on the bottom of the hammock. Now I can't get the ridgeline back thru the gathered end of the hammock to reattach it.
I'm pretty disappointed with the assembly of this product. I would have thought Warbonnet would set up every Hammock and make sure it was ready to go. I guess I'll wait 10 more days to try out my new XLC I hope I have better luck next time.

**rhjanes** · 06-03-2014, 08:22

sorry to hear that. I've been able to push a ridgeline back thru the gathered end. Don't use anything sharp. Use like a pencil and use the erasor end.

**Redblockman** · 06-03-2014, 08:30

19 days isn't all that bad for a delivery time, and maybe you don't want to here it right now but congrats with the purchase. I'm very sorry to hear you're not satisfied by the work.
To reattach the rigdeline you got to loosen up the amsteel continuous loop that is larksheaded to the end of your hammock. As shown in this vid.
There is some lighter cordage beneath it, you might need to loosen that too to put the ridgline through again.

**JEF989** · 06-03-2014, 08:55

Thanks for the support. I removed the Amsteel continuous loop and tried to thread the ridgeline back thru the gathered end. I might have to loosen the lighter cordage to get it thru. It's pretty tight. I'll try pushing it thru tonight with a pencil when I get home from Work.

**Ratdog** · 06-03-2014, 09:09

Contact Warbonnet, let them know what happened.
It is an emotional let down to purchase a quality product only to find an "issue", any "issue". Fortunately, yours is easily remedied.

The fix is an easy job, take a few minutes, you'll get it handled, no worries.

Have not heard of many quality control issues but it happens to every vendor from time to time.

If your personal schedule does not allow you to try a hammock for the next 10 days, maybe work on rearranging your personal schedule.

10 days without a hammock is way too long.

Don't install the top cover until you have the ridge line sorted.

**Adino** · 06-03-2014, 10:08

what ratdog said

brandon is a great guy to deal w/ and will help make this right

it is not a hard fix and you can be talked thru it or watch it done via vid

iirc the blackbird whoopie installation on brandon's site can show you how the ridgeline is attached

its literally a 2 minute fix once you know what you're doing

either way take a couple deep breathes and relax it will be cool and you are going to love your kit

**JEF989** · 06-03-2014, 11:46

It's great to have such support not only from Brandon at Warbonnet; but also from this Forum. I think with all your help I can fix it tonight, and be sleeping in my woods this evening, instead of that clammy old master bedroom. I'm looking forward to spending as much time in my new XLC as I can. The weather here in Michigan is Great this time of year. I might not go in the house much this Summer.

**Cali** · 06-03-2014, 14:22

Just look at the positive side. You are learning more about your hammock and your ridgeline and how it all works and goes together. If it was attached, you'd just be hanging and clueless as to how it was put together.

**Firesong** · 06-03-2014, 17:35

Don't think of it as broken just partially un-assembled. Saved you shipping and don't look at the instructions/videos , that's cheating.

**opie** · 06-03-2014, 18:03

Originally Posted by JEF989

It's great to have such support not only from Brandon at Warbonnet; but also from this Forum. I think with all your help I can fix it tonight, and be sleeping in my woods this evening, instead of that clammy old master bedroom. I'm looking forward to spending as much time in my new XLC as I can. The weather here in Michigan is Great this time of year. I might not go in the house much this Summer.

If you want to bring it to Lansing, I can show you how to fix it. Its not difficult.