Blackbird Shelf Zipper Pocket Mod and more

**angrysparrow** · 07-22-2009, 18:12

There aren't many BlackBird mods posted on this forum! I thought I'd share some of mine to hopefully get it started.

I put a small zipper pocket in the shelf of of my BlackBird recently, because -

- I wanted a place to put 'pocket items' that tend to spread out in the shelf and get tossed around when I move in the hammock. I didn't like feeling around and searching for them.

- When camping with the BlackBird without a tarp, any items left in the shelf can have some condensation/dew settle on them. I wanted to keep that off some items, like my ipod.

So, I did something about it.

I really liked IhangnBankhead's HH Pocket mod so I gratuitously stole the idea. But I didn't want to go through the trouble of cutting the hammock fabric to put it in like he did. So, I sewed up a small flat sack from some coated ripstop that I had on hand, and put in a 7" zipper. I left just enough room above the zipper to sew the sack into the shelf right inside the seam that separates it from the body of the hammock.

I also changed out the suspension for the recently developed Whoopie Sling method.

Finally, the stock white shock cord that ships with the Blackbird was looking a little ratty, so I swapped it out for something less visible that I'm far more likely to trip over.

Have you modded your Blackbird recently? Let's hear about it!

**beep** · 07-22-2009, 18:18

Nice looking mods!

**mazz1111** · 07-22-2009, 18:21

Hey! nice mod.....leads me to think that zipper access to the shelf from outside the hammock might be handy!!!!

**Shug** · 07-22-2009, 18:31

I like it!
Hey, how do you like the Whoopie sling? Is it an easy adjust?
Thankee AS.
Shug

**angrysparrow** · 07-22-2009, 18:37

Originally Posted by Shug

Hey, how do you like the Whoopie sling? Is it an easy adjust?

It's incredibly easy to adjust...and except for an elementary marlinspike hitch on the tree hugger, is knot free! Lightweight too.

**TeeDee** · 07-22-2009, 19:38

Nice work on the mod.

That Blue really stands out in the flash !!!

**uncle_ray_ray** · 02-18-2012, 16:15

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

It's incredibly easy to adjust...and except for an elementary marlinspike hitch on the tree hugger, is knot free! Lightweight too.

I don't use the marlinspike hitch on my tree huggers anymore, I picked up a pair of those elephant nose clips and that's a wrap! They are really easy to adjust if you need to and the whoopie cord fits nice and snug into the clip.

I also made myself an adjustable ridgeline out of Zing-it cord! I made it just as if it were a whoopie cord once I realized I could bury Zing-it in it's own channel). Also marked the ARL cord in increments of 2" so I can have a good gauge for future adjustments, works great.

**animalcontrol** · 07-22-2009, 19:09

nicely done AS...I need to look into the whoopie sling closer

**headchange4u** · 07-22-2009, 19:24

Nice mod. I've also had minor problems with locating small items on the shelf, especially if I have my jacket or extra clothing stuffed up there. The storage pocket is the perfect solution.

**pgibson** · 07-22-2009, 19:30

I like the zippered pocket, having a spot for stuff like cell phone, ipod, pocket knife ect. that you would not want to wander around to much would be very handy. I will have to think about doing one of those up. I also just switched my shock cord out to some 1/4" black that I had kicking around, goes a bit better with the hammock but yes trip cord should be the new name.

Thanks for sharing AS

Paul