I love my Warbonnet BlackBird hammock! FishinFinn has come up with this brilliant Top Cover to cut wind and provide some warmth. It is designed to fit the BlackBird hammock but can be used on other types if you are creative...
Proof also that cats like hammock hanging!
BRILLIANT FISHINFINN....
All secure in sector seven,
Snug Shug
FishinFinns TopCover for BlackBird
Thanks Shug. That looks like a good addition.
Hehehe, nice addition there with the outtakes. Very nice looking setup though for sure. Too bad I doubt I'll ever really have a need for TC down here in AZ.
Yeah .. it weighs about 5.5oz. and I was impressed that it did so well at keeping the wind off of my top parts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordzilla
Weather these days .... never say never!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rushthezeppelin
Cool, shug! I like the new ways you are finding to use the topcover. I especially like the trick with pulling out the wing slot, and using it as a camp shoe holder as well.:cool: I actually added tabs on my last sock to do the same thing if you aren't using a BB, but I never thought to add them on the topcover.
Actually the camp shoe or water bottle in milder temps, hold the TC down on that side and provides real good coverage. I am tickled that there has been no condensation so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by FishinFinn
Gonna sleep out tonight in this blowing snow for a good test .... Whooooo Buddy.
Jealous?? Yeah, i know you like the cold!!!!
I was never a camo guy but I got to admit .. it grows on ya' ... feel manly and stealthy.
Shug
nice topcover, nice video.
I can relate to the out-takes. Just about every time I get in front of the camera to record a segment I end up doing it at least 3 times. Forget how to speak English, pick my nose,....
Grizz
It doesn't make much sense to have woodland camo on a winter setup, does it?:rolleyes: It was the fabric that I had at the time. I thought of doing it in silk, but both of the silk pieces I had left from my socks were 16" too short.:confused: I do like the camo, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
Thanks for the vid, Shug. Really nice design on the top cover Finn.
Thanks, HC4U. You could have been looking at one firsthand.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by headchange4u
Looks a lot like my HH SuperShelter Overcover, which weighs in at 4.8 oz. Overcovers/topcovers are nice, but in very cold weather I get quite a bit of frozen condensate. Is there a ventilation hole on this model? The hole on the HH SS overcover helps a lot, as it is positioned right over the head area.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
--Kurt
No ventilation hole. That was one of the things I wanted shug and cavediver to determine - whether a vent hole was necessary with the breathability of this fabric. The way shug is using it, apparently not. I still like a sock better than a topcover, but for a lightweight option, it does the job of keeping in a little extra heat.
The extra weight difference between your SS overcover and this is probably from the ggr end tabs and shockcord/cordlocks. I really have to work hard to think like a gram weenie. I've never seen a SS overcover, so it would be interesting to see how they compare.
I'll bring mine to the June NCT hang. Probably won't need it, but at that weight its not much to carry.Quote:
Originally Posted by FishinFinn
--Kurt
Hey .... slept out last night ... making a video .....and used the TC un-vented (I pull the head end back to vent) my 0º bag, Thermadrape sewn to my old weather-shield of ripstop nylon, UQs and finally DriDuck poncho weather-shield. Slept really warm!! Some condensation on bug netting (pulled back over shelf) and a bit on the TC. Expected that.
*Had some moisture on my hammock material under me and the Thermadrape felt moist ... but I was truly warm. The ol' Shug is a heavy sweater!
It was really windy last night and the TC did a FANTASTIC job of keeping the wind off of me and did retain a little heat but not as much as a sock would.
For my money keeping the wind off is worth using it. Plus I am liking camo now.
Sweaty yet Warm Shug
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
Yes, thank you for pointing that out, shug. I designed it so the head end can be vented by releasing the shock cord at the head end. The unique design of the BB wings allows it to be vented this way. That is why there is no vent hole - the head end becomes the vent hole if needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by FishinFinn
shug, I'm pleased as punch that you like the topcover. PM me if you think there are any design "tweeks" that you'd like to see done.
FF are you gonna post directions for the OC?
I think I remember you saying you were not going to sell them, but I would be interested
if you change your mind.
Hang tight - there is something in the works. I will definitely not be selling them or making any money off them at all - that's not my thing, but have offered the design up to another member here if he wants to make and sell them. I am sending him the pattern and a completed one this weekend. I will let him decide when to post details. Obviously, he needs to make one to determine what his costs would be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big D
Great news! I will keep my eyes open.Quote:
Originally Posted by FishinFinn
Hey Fish Is the top cover waterproof? It would be neat to have a form fitted one as a tarp as well.
The one I have from FF is not waterproof but untreated ripstop nylon. It is very breathable and it needs to be to let moisture out as sweaty as my Irish body is. It blocks the wind quite well and adds some warmth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Counselor
counselor ... are you thinking to use only a top-cover as sort of a mini-tarp? I have an old hammock that incorporated that idea. It sorta worked in some conditions.......
Shug
Haven't made a waterproof one yet, but I don't think it would work well. The amount of condensation you would get with an unvented waterproof vb topcover would be staggering - I don't think you want to go swimming in your hammock.Quote:
Originally Posted by Counselor
I'm still working on getting some instructions up - haven't been feeling well and not up to sewing or even much typing or following up on threads.