Hennessy Mod - A New Sleeve

**Rockdawg69** · 09-02-2009, 16:40

With Respect to Tom - I altered my HULBA using the original tarp. See attached pics. The story: Wanted a larger tarp than the Asym that came with the HULBA and the Etowah 8 x 10 rectangular I had on-hand was not working like I wanted, therefore went to a 11 x 10 cat-cut. Now, what to do with a left over asym tarp and cold weather hammock sleeping issues. Could I solve the cold weather issues by modifying the HULBA by adding a sleeve underneath???
With a little help from our favorite seamstress, the asym tarp was converted to a rectangular sleeve. BA Air Core mummy and Wally-World blue ccf fit well but looks like I will need a full-size, long pad to fill out the sleeve.
The sleeve turns out to be 30-inches wide and about 96 inches long. Had to cut off some of each end to remove the asym pieces to get squared-off ends. Foot end is stitched all the way across to prevent pad from sliding out. Added reinforced sections on the corners, and one in center of the foot end, with plastic d-rings for tie-outs. I will eventually add two small d-ring sections on the sides to match the side tie-outs on the HULBA (hoping this helps hold the sleeve in alignment with the rest of the hammock). More testing on this before I get that done.

Using 4 JRB self tensioners as a starting point to see how this thing hangs. Looped the line thru the d-rings using a tautline hitch for adjustment and the tensioner end hung thru the original sliding hook on the suspension line for the anchor. This gives two points for adjustment along each line. Note how the sleeve wraps the hammock without a load in first 2 photos. The BA Air Core mummy in the later photos causes the sleeve to expand a little.

First layout test indicates sleeve will be functional, as hammock and sleeve mated with no air gap/space. With the 2Q/ZQ mod 3 on this hammock, I could reach out and adjust the sleeve, just like with my UQ.

Problems identified so far: 1) need wider pad to fill out sleeve to edges; pad also need to be a long version
2) May need a spreader bar on foot-end to hold sleeve in most open position????
3) Sleeve has tendency to move around and slide from under hammock - hence the probable addition of the 2 d-rings along the sides to help anchor the sleeve beneath the hammock.

Comments and suggestions welcome. More testing and pictures to follow in time.

**angrysparrow** · 09-02-2009, 17:54

Very clever, Rockdawg! Looking forward to your field testing info.

**gargoyle** · 09-02-2009, 18:38

Rockdawg, looks good. Try a length of elastic cord just going above your hammock to suspend your new underquilt. This worked better for me than going full distance with a length of string. It seemed to minimize the amount of travel my underquilt could move. Just a thought, nice looking set up you got. my 2 cents.

**Rockdawg69** · 09-02-2009, 19:39

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Rockdawg, looks good. Try a length of elastic cord just going above your hammock to suspend your new underquilt. This worked better for me than going full distance with a length of string. It seemed to minimize the amount of travel my underquilt could move. Just a thought, nice looking set up you got. my 2 cents.

Thanks for idea on elastic cord. Will try some different methods of hanging this pad sleeve from the hammock suspension line. My UQ will fit underneath this setup

**sclittlefield** · 09-03-2009, 18:13

If you can attach the undercover to the two tie-off points on the hammock that should keep it from moving too far out of whack. Using 4 points would be better, but just those two would help. Maybe sew a couple tabs on the undercover and use some bungie to go to the tie-off points. I did this with a diy hammock and it helped a lot in keeping the uq in place.

**Rockdawg69** · 09-03-2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

If you can attach the undercover to the two tie-off points on the hammock that should keep it from moving too far out of whack. Using 4 points would be better, but just those two would help. Maybe sew a couple tabs on the undercover and use some bungie to go to the tie-off points. I did this with a diy hammock and it helped a lot in keeping the uq in place.

Exactly what I had planned for the 2 points. Agree 4 would be better for stability.
With all these strings, after a while I'll have spaghetti. Someone else will need to bring the meatballs.

**SmokeHouse** · 09-04-2009, 08:05

Great job,,, very nice

**Rockdawg69** · 09-22-2009, 16:38

Continuation of development. See photos in initial post above for pad sleeve under the HULBA. This section shows addition of Landau foam pad.

First Test in the woods completed. Spent the weekend at Standing Indian Campground, NC for 1 night and 2 nights at Hot Springs, NC at SEHHA group hang. New pad sleeve worked well. No slipping around beneath the hammock and no cool spots. But it is a bulky solution to the cold weather problem. Temps were in the low 60's at night so not an adequate cold weather test - yet!!!!!

See pics below for new pad and sleeve combo. Bought some 1/4" Landau foam and cut it to fit tight inside the sleeve, about 27-inches wide. I still have an equal amount of Landau left over so I could make a sandwich 1/2" thick for more insulation. I have added a couple of tie-outs to the sleeve to match the side tie-outs on the HULBA to stabilize the pad sleeve.

Pad and sleeve fold up around the HULBA with no air gaps under the torso but spreads out at foot to leave some air space. I think I could tighten that up by using the middle d-ring at the foot end to tie up the middle of the sleeve to the suspension line. Not used this trip since temps due to warmer temps.

More experimentation to come with colder weather. Next problems: 1)solve the spaghetti mess of lines that go with this setup; 2) solve the bulk problem for backpacking.

Testing the foam for rebound from being folded into a small size to see if that works in reducing packaging for backpack. Total weight of sleeve, pad, and lines is 1 lb 6 ozs.

**BillyBob58** · 09-22-2009, 20:37

Impressive! Maybe I can do something similar using mine for an UC for my non-HH hammocks ( already have an UC for my HH with the SS) and UQs! Used with a SB/vapor barrior on top of a pod or quilt, and this on the outside, it might be a pretty darn good weather shield! Or even without a VB, but leaving some distance between them.

**Rockdawg69** · 09-22-2009, 21:23

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Impressive! Maybe I can do something similar using mine for an UC for my non-HH hammocks ( already have an UC for my HH with the SS) and UQs! Used with a SB/vapor barrior on top of a pod or quilt, and this on the outside, it might be a pretty darn good weather shield! Or even without a VB, but leaving some distance between them.

Probably would work out for any gathered-end hammock. Might even be better with something like the BMBH where the pad/UC would spread out better than mine. But alas, double layer hammocks are probably much more efficient than this rig (total weight and ease of use).

I just can't afford another hammock!!!!!!!