blackbird/superfly as bivy?

**spidennis** · 12-26-2009, 22:53

so I stuffed a couple of boxes, one in each end to see what it might look like filled out a bit, this is promising .....

**spidennis** · 12-26-2009, 23:53

Here I used some motorcycle innertubes as I'd might use those "out of stock" air beam parts from Nemo. It's giving me an idea of the size to use, placement, and how to install them. If I'm already gonna fill up a exped 9 dam then while I'm at it I can fill up the air beams as well. same pump, multi use ...... and I can also have them filled up while in hammock mode to give lots of extra roomyiness , cool.

btw, I have both a front and rear tube here, 21" front, 18" rear, the front is the head end.

now it's starting to take shape!
I took the doors off the super fly tarp
and using the side pull outs as the tie down points.
this method would work good for when I didn't expect rain
but got some anyway, or for fog and morning dew ....
of course the tarp could always be set up with the poles (of some sort).

**gargoyle** · 12-27-2009, 00:00

Nice solution, spi-guy. Inflatable tarp next????

**spidennis** · 12-27-2009, 00:38

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Nice solution, spi-guy. Inflatable tarp next????

I think you're on to something ......
the military uses that idea?
and my ultimate goal is to have it all free standing .....

http://www.army-technology.com/contr...latables1.html

**spidennis** · 12-27-2009, 01:17

and to top it off ..... a floor!
a ground sheet and/or a waterproof bathtub tent floor ...
but with the air beams along the sides instead of those stakes.
again, all free standing, even if it is only inches high ....

I gather I'd better get busy in making my own air beams ......

**spidennis** · 12-27-2009, 02:03

this thread
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=24850
talks about making your own dam ... imagine that!
custom shape a dam with shoulder wings and foot box extension?
yeah, now were talkin' !
and next it's time to makin' !

since I'm really only concerned with the blackbird hammock ,
I now have to come up with the new custom shape for the DAM.
anyone got some ideas on this?
I'm gonna add these components to my existing pad and see what happens.
I'm gonna start by making my air beams first
then with experience move up to the DAM.
it's time for some manufacturing equipment .....
and finally that sewing machine ...... and .......

update: instead of adding shoulder wings I think I'll just add
another 2 or 3 complete length tubes to give me 6 more inches for the width.
6' x 32" should do just fine I'm thinking.

I still have to find my old ski waxing iron or something better like:
http://cgi.ebay.com/9-mm-CONSTANT-He...#ht_1130wt_905
and I still have to wade thru the different types of heat sealable fabrics .....
something for the floor
something for the airbeams
and something for the DAM

**Shadowmoss** · 12-27-2009, 23:22

I like the idea of using the tubes for structure. I'll be watching to see what all you come up with.

I followed the links to the Nemo tent site that has the air tubes as replacement parts for their tents (out of stock...) I did notice that the Nemo GoGo Bivy weigh 2 lbs, or more than a SMD solo tent (from my groundling days, I have the Six Moons Designs Europa and almost got the luna instead) which has more head room if not more floor space. I'm wondering if it's the overall material, or if the tubes actually add that much weight.

I actually did some research, and the SMD Refuge has 30 sq ft of interior space for 27 oz, while the air tube Nemo GOGO only has 20 Sq ft of space and weighs more. So, are the air tubes all that much of a weight saver after all? Or do bikers not REALLY know their ultralight gear?

**Just Jeff** · 12-27-2009, 23:37

I like the tubes idea, but I wouldn't want to put the Blackbird's fabric on the ground for a week...little holes in a hammock can lead to rips that will dump you next time you hang. And the hammock isn't waterproof anyway. I'd put a groundsheet underneath it. And if you're using a groundsheet, do you really need the hammock? Just as a bug bivy.

So as a bug bivy, you only need to keep it off of your body rather than expanded as a whole tent. Could change your design concept...only need one tube, etc.

**spidennis** · 12-28-2009, 01:33

justjeff,
I'm gonna have the bathtub floor ground sheet to protect the black bird and I tried a single tube and that's just a bit troublesome getting into and such. It could be chilly or it could be warm so having the net off my body when it's warm is gonna be important.

shadowmoss,
I have to select a material that's light but still gonna be stiff enough. I'd try using the nemo tubes if they were in stock but ..... so have to roll my own instead. besides, knowing how to do this is gonna come in handy for some other projects. those motorcycle innertubes are heavy but it did provide a means of knowing whether or not to go further with this.

I still got to find some valves ......
this is close but not it
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...KGW73PQ1HS20H0

.......
not finding much in the way of valves ....
gonna try schrader valves next .

I've got some old wind surfing parts, battens, that I'm trying out.
if this works ok, then I'll hunt down some tent poles.
see attached pic .....

maybe some pool noodles will work?