Waterproofing hennesy hammock

Hi. I was wondering whether it would be possible to waterproof a hennesy hammock. I would like to use it even in heavy rain without the tarp. I was thinking it might work to sew a layer of waterproof material where the bug netting is and let it hang down so the water runs off. It would still be easy to get in with the bottom entry one and it would make setup easier and tbh i dont care about not being able to see or the extra weight since im 4wding not hiking.
So would this work? And how would I go about it and with what material? Is there anything already available like this? Would it be easier to jsut build it from scratch?
Thankyou.

There's an over cover which would achieve nearly that (except for the breathing hole). I wouldn't really recommend waterproofing it though. You'll probably just end up drenched from condensation, ironically. I'd vote you go with the tarp. It's not really that hard to set up, and if you do it right (read The Ultimate Hang for excellent instructions) it will keep out the rain.

The tarp will also give you a shelter under which you can unpack, pack, prepare food, eat, change clothes etc.

But as they say, Hang Your Own Hang! :)

Hmmm just realized your in australia to. Im down in victoria so we get a fair bit of rain when it falls and i reckon it will get in. Also i dont need anywhere to do all that stuff im going to make an awning for the jeep. What if it hangs out wider than the hammock so its not sealed so it kinda drapes over it? Like having one of those lines that go from one end to the other and just drape a big heavy canvas over that and peg it down? Would be quicker than one of the light weight ones that are all taught and stuff.
Basically what i want is something i can just unroll, tie up on both ends, pull tight and go to sleep while being completely waterproof no matter how much wind and rain there is. Dont care how much it weighs as long as it packs up fairly small.
Any ideas?
Thanks.

Condensation is your enemy. For the 30 seconds it takes for me to set up my tarp I would stay with the better ventilation and breathable bed. But the mantra here is hang your own hammock. Try it out and see what you get. You might like it. Then again... you might not. But at least you would know.

for what you want aai think I would replace the stock diamond with a rectangle with a ridge about the same length or just a bit longer. The idea is to leave it attached the way Hennessy does. Door flaps would be useful on the head end. Both ends if the weather changes that much. Make the sides long enough to go to ground from a comfortable ridge height. There are a couple of ways to deal with the suspension. I like the idea of looping a strap around the tree and using a carabiner or Dutch clip to close the loop then a buckle setup tied in after where the tarp ties in. That gives you a drip break and adjustment point. I'd go with Polyurethane coated polyester if I had a choice. It takes the sun better than nylon. Stuff the whole setup in a large Bishop Bag. In practice pull the bag out of the vehicle, snap one strap around a tree. Feed line out past the buckle where you can guesstimate adding slack. Keep feeding to the other buckle then tree. Close the loop. Walk back setting the sag at the buckles. Stake out the tarp corners and hammock guys. Step back, pull out chair, grab a cold beverage and sit and watch your neighbors working at setting up. Took longer to describe than it should take to do. No knots, minimum fiddle factor.
Want even less fiddle factor put rope pockets at the tie out points on the tarp. Use permanent ropes for porch mode left tied on with tautline hitch on the far end. Going to ground just stake through the tie out loop. Porch mode - stake out the rope end and adjust.

Ok so im still new to this and this may be a dum question but why would a waterproof hammock get condensation when a swag or tent does not? How i see my idea it is more a hanging swag than a sealed hammock.
Anothermark do you mean make a large rectangle tarp that reaches to the ground and leave it always attached to the hammock? I found some random video by accident where he suspended it with a tree hugger strap, a carabiner and two metal loops. He then put the rope around both loops and then between them. Pull it tight and hook the end onto something.
What i really want is something that only needs to be hung at each end and then its done. No other pieces or pegs or anything. The other thought i had which would allow this was to have a complete custom hammock that went completely around with a velcro entry like in the hennessy hammocks at the end. It would just be one piece sewn together at each side made out of some type of waterproof material. Only problem is i have no idea if this would work.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Also sorry if my post is a bit rambly i wrote it over a few hours a bit at a time. Also im probably going to get a hennessy hammock to see how it goes and take out the netting so i can use it inside my jeep. See how that goes but it would be nice to have the option to be inside or outside my car.

Hey, Motas,

Why don't you just try the HH first, without modifying it. Once you've tried it out, THEN go about making the ultimate hammock.

I bought one earlier this year, as "an idea" for my backcounry NZ fishing trips. Hung it outside between the verandah posts - fantastically comfortable to lie in. One Autumn night , got grumpy with my beloved and decided to sleep in it (with quilt) - miserable miserable night, with coldest bum and back I'd ever had. (Karma! ).

Hammocking throws up some weird issues. I've slept on the ground with an air mattress in colder temps than that night in Autumn, and was warm. Suddenly, in a hammock, I had a cold butt. You sleep in a swag with no condensation. Sleep in a hammock, with a "sock", and I gather you'll get it.

The HH is pretty easy to hang, even with tarp. I think you'll find the insect mesh useful for summer. Maybe consider the side entry model, so you can throw the mesh to one side if you really need to.

All I've done to modify mine so far has been to put a few feet of zipper in at the junction of the mesh and hammock, so I can each out and get things...............and made an underquilt and top quilt.

A

Quote:

---

"Ok so im still new to this and this may be a dum question but why would a waterproof hammock get condensation when a swag or tent does not? How i see my idea it is more a hanging swag than a sealed hammock."

---

Basic issue is your body produces up to ~ 1 litre of water overnight. Much of it is in exhaled breath. A swag (bedroll) is open and allows your breath to escape. A fancy swag (bivy tent) is double walled so vents. A hammock with a waterproof cover confines you and your exhaled breath into a very small volume of space. The moisture will condense on any surface cooler than the dew point. In practice this is inside your roof and it rains down inside your hammock. There is a secondary issue in that you will find yourself lying on your back in a confined space. The key is to use a double wall with air space to vent like a deluxe swag.
BTW - used mrswagman for a reference to translate terms. ;-)

re:tarp change. I thought you already had a Hennessy or had access to one. The stock tarp is a diamond that is on the small side so it takes care to keep achieve water tightness. His alternative is a hex tarp that is pretty large so works better with a separate ridge line. I'm changing my advice - get the hammock with a bottom entry and stock tarp. Once you have that you will be able to see what I am talking about.

Quote:

---

I found some random video by accident where he suspended it with a tree hugger strap, a carabiner and two metal loops. He then put the rope around both loops and then between them. Pull it tight and hook the end onto something.

---

There are a couple of more things I might do differently than I first described. The problem is you have no reference as you don't have a hammock to look at the details we would be discussing. I think you can do what you want but you will be in a floppy cave. A couple of pegs could make things much more comfortable to me, I'm not you. Right now the key is to get a hammock and spend a night or two in one to get a frame of reference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by motas

Ok so im still new to this and this may be a dum question but why would a waterproof hammock get condensation when a swag or tent does not? How i see my idea it is more a hanging swag than a sealed hammock.

---

Have never used a swag, but have used a t**t:scared:. (1 of those 4 letter words that shall not be spoken on here :lol:) Most have a way of venting the condensation. Last weekend I was on a campout with the Scouts. I had my Guide Gear 12'x12' tarp. I had it closed up tight. We didn't have rain, but if we did, it wasn't getting in and neither was the wind. In the morning, the inside of the tarp was soaked from condensation. The next trip, I don't think I will close the tarp up as tight, a little venting, hopefully would allow the moisture to escape.

With a waterproof hammock and the confined space, I would think that the moisture would be worst and may even soak your insulation. But HYOH and let us know how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NfS8...ayer_embedded#!

I ran across this as it shows a single ridge line hang. Everything off the ridge so hang both ends and you are done. It also shows a side entry hammock and the space you need to use it. If you really want to do a hanging man cave the bottom entry will let you keep things a lot tighter.

Little pre warning i am slightly drunk atm. I am planning on buying a hennessy hammock in the next few weeks when i have some money to see how it goes. Worse comes to worse ill cut the fly screen off and use it in my jeep. I really think with the small fly it will get rained on after doing some research. What about if i sealed it up and put a few vents along the side facing downwards? Would let the condensation escape and would still stop water getting in. I really truly hate setting camp up. Every second saved is a bonus for me. Especially when we get lost and its dark and raining when we get to camp. It would be amazing to be able to just pull up and hook both ends to a tree and fall asleep.
Maybe it would be easier to modify a swag?
Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by motas

I really think with the small fly it will get rained on after doing some research.

---

It's called do whatever you want. But many people here can testify the stock tarp is sufficient _if_ you care to follow the learning curve. I don't quite understand how you can do the "research" and form field experience when you don't have the equipment. The HH has a very long history in the field and if the stock tarp is as bad as you seem to project if would not have lasted. If properly pitched (very quick and easy) it is all you will ever _need_ to stay dry.

The stock tarp is designed to remain attached to the hammock and to be set up at the same time as the hammock is strung. Many of us don't use that system because if does not best suit our camping style. However, it seems like it would be a good match for what you want.

Before you make plans based on imaginary data get the gear and play with it.

I don't mean to sound harsh. However... the folks who have been responding are "experts" and might be worth listening to.

Motas, sounds like you want to rig up something like this:
http://helsdonoutdoors.com/chrysalis.aspx the Chrysalis Bridge hammock, or at least it's cover. It has some kind of venting system built in, not sure how well it works condensation wise. But I guess it must be OK.

But I think this hammock has a coated ( waterproof) bottom. You want to know how to accomplish this with the HH. So keep in mind you will also have to protect the bottom from rain. To do that without some kind of tarp, which extends down closer to and is staked to the ground, you will have to some how waterproof the bottom of the hammock. Even with some small tarps, it can sometimes be a challenge to keep wind blown sideways rain from getting the hammock wet.

An HH SuperShelter, with it's undercover, pretty much solves that on the bottom of the hammock, but still requires a tarp for the top. A top cover- or the stock tarp - could probably be rigged/modded to come down, cover the hammock and undercover and stay put in the wind without stakes, and you could enter through the bottom.

But as others have said, condensation is going to be a real challenge. It is almost guaranteed to be a problem. Some people ( not all, and not me so far) already complain of this problem just trying to use the undercover, even when adding a vapor barrier/space blanket close to your body( should keep the SB warm and should = no condensation). But any condensation problems will likely be much worse above you than down in the undercover. Your warm exhaled vapor- plus what your body gives off 24/7 - rises. When it hits a cold enough layer(tarp, over cover), it will condense, just like it does on a wind shield. The less ventilation - which should move some of that vapor out before it can condense on the cold cover- the worse the problem.

Any way, if you figure out a way to rig it up, let us know how it works! Always looking for new solutions around here.

I dont claim to have field experience but i did some googling and in heavy rain and wind some people have been rained on. I am still going to try it stock and see how it goes. I also didnt realize the stock tarp stayed attached to the hammock. Most of the people ive seen in videos have carried them seperately.
If you click on all products it has a picture of the vent. I mean a few of them right near the head. Its exactly what they use on rooftop tents to prevent condensation.
Ill do a quick drawing of my ideas to explain a bit better.
Thanks and right now im thinking the bigger tarp will be a better option.

So here are my idea explained better.
First is a one piece hammock which goes completely around you. It has a bottom entry like hennessy hammock and would be made from a waterproof material of some sort. Those little triangles are the vents near the head hobefully where condensation would escape from and would leave a bit of airflow. The problem i forsee (other than condensation) would be a very cold back because of the water running along the bottom.
On to my second idea which is a modified hammock. Basically instead of getting a small light tarp made for camping. Just get a big waterproof piece of material and drape it over the top so it hangs down near the ground. Probably attach it to the hammock in a few spots to keep it from moving. It hopefully wouldnt need lines then since it would be held in place by the ridgeline and the hammock sides.
Hopefully ive explained that well enough. Would either of these be a good idea? Would sticking with a normal hennessy hammock be better?
Thanks.

Its only money,
Its only money,
If it don't work
that is all you have to say.