My take on ZHammock, the GHammock

**sparkysko** · 03-12-2007, 22:02

I'm too cheap to buy an underquilt, and doubt I'll do much winter hammocking, so the ZHammock became the wise choice for me to build, as I already have a foam pad, and I don't want to lay directly on the pad, but shove it between the layers. I did run into some problems when constructing a ZHammock, and made some modifications. The main problem during construction is the difficulty in getting two pieces of material cut to exactly the same length (I don't have a large empty area to do my work), If they're not the same length, when you sew them together, this can be a problem. This method allows you to do a rough cut and trim the excess off later.

Also, anytime I plan on going camping, there are going to be bugs, so for simplicity, and because I'm cheap, I'm sewing the bug net directly onto the hammock. The location of the bugnet also allows it to be stowed away in the 'pocket' of the hammock, or flopped into the hammock when loading it up with a pad. When whipping, I plan on embedding a loop of cord through the whipping so that I can attach a non structural ridgeline with a tautline hitch to tighten it up.

Click on picture for details.

**blackbishop351** · 03-12-2007, 22:39

Looks good, man! Cool idea with the bugnet and the pad pocket!

Is there a specific reason you're staying away from a structural ridgeline? I'm just wondering because I really love mine...

**sparkysko** · 03-12-2007, 23:37

Originally Posted by blackbishop351

Looks good, man! Cool idea with the bugnet and the pad pocket!

Is there a specific reason you're staying away from a structural ridgeline? I'm just wondering because I really love mine...

I'm cheap and heavy. I don't own any rope that I would be confident would hold as a ridgeline. (I have nylon rope rated to 1200lbs, the heavy stuff they have at home depot). I suppose I could get some rope at REI to do it, but it's mostly just a matter of not having anything that would work.

**blackbishop351** · 03-12-2007, 23:45

Originally Posted by sparkysko

I'm cheap and heavy. I don't own any rope that I would be confident would hold as a ridgeline. (I have nylon rope rated to 1200lbs, the heavy stuff they have at home depot). I suppose I could get some rope at REI to do it, but it's mostly just a matter of not having anything that would work.

Gotcha. You can always add one later when/if you come across some cord, too.

**headchange4u** · 03-13-2007, 15:33

Looks like a great design. I can't wait to see pics of the finished product in action.

**Jazilla** · 03-14-2007, 10:31

What is a non-structural ridge line?

**blackbishop351** · 03-14-2007, 10:39

Originally Posted by Jazilla

What is a non-structural ridge line?

It's connected to the hammock in much the same way as a structural ridgeline, but it doesn't have any load on it. It can be used to hang gear and keep a bugnet off you. I think Ed Speer uses these on his hammocks now, since Hennessy patented the structural ridgeline.

**Just Jeff** · 03-14-2007, 17:04

As BB says - it doesn't have any load on it. That means a structural ridgeline changes the shape of the hammock and sets a constant level of sag, while a non-structural ridgeline does not. Non-structural ridgelines just hold gear, support a bug net, etc.

Hennessy has patented his type of structural ridgeline, so other hammock manufacturers can't use it...but you can add whatever you want to your own gear. Patents are only enforced against people trying to commercialize a copy.

**sparkysko** · 03-14-2007, 18:00

Well, I've got it finished, except for sewing the bugnet on. I'd take pictures, but the entire thing is olive drab, and I think it wouldn't look too photogenic. Now i'm just trying to figure out how the heck to draw the curves for the bugnet so I can cut it proper. I have a proper sleeping bag zipper, but i question whether or not it's such a good idea to bother with one, it's difficult to seperate/reattach the zipper portion, and I question whether or not I have the dexterity to completely zip myself in.

**blackbishop351** · 03-14-2007, 18:06

Originally Posted by sparkysko

Well, I've got it finished, except for sewing the bugnet on. I'd take pictures, but the entire thing is olive drab, and I think it wouldn't look too photogenic. Now i'm just trying to figure out how the heck to draw the curves for the bugnet so I can cut it proper. I have a proper sleeping bag zipper, but i question whether or not it's such a good idea to bother with one, it's difficult to seperate/reattach the zipper portion, and I question whether or not I have the dexterity to completely zip myself in.

Every hammock is photogenic!