How do you fit an underblanket??

[IntrepidStu]

Ive just received my underblankets today (cheers Nick at DD and Lurch at Lakeland) but cant figure out how you fit them (tie them). They have an elastic line that runs along each side that obviously facilitates tightening, but then there are two shorter elastic lines at each end that emanate from a few inches either side of center. These two lines are not long enough to attach to a tree. Also there are two loops at both ends.

Somebody please give me a clue (I cant get out to test it because I'm sick and I'm trying to get better before this weekends "Middlewood" meet).

Cheers
Stu.

[bikething]

have a read of this thread (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24542&highlight=trees+hammocking) :)

[IntrepidStu]

have a read of this thread (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24542&highlight=trees+hammocking) :)


Yeah ive seen that thread mate, but it doesnt realy help me. It says you tie the "shock cords" around the hammock: but which ones??? and where???

Ive tried zooming the photo but no joy.

Cheers for the help though, much appreciated.
Stu

[IntrepidStu]

I suppose I should give my hammock specs!!! Ive got a DD Travel hammock that I have modified with carabiners as drip rings. Thats about it realy.

I hope somebody can help me so im not faffing about for hours at the meet and loosing my rag (I can sometimes be a little impatient).

Cheers guys/gals
Stu

[Shewie]

I`ve just tied the shock cords to the karabiners with quick release knots as Red did in the "take to the trees" thread. Easy peasy and saves messing about with other bits and pieces.

[IntrepidStu]

I`ve just tied the shock cords to the karabiners with quick release knots as Red did in the "take to the trees" thread. Easy peasy and saves messing about with other bits and pieces.


Which shock cords Rich?? All 4 of them (including the tightening ones)??

[Shewie]

Which shock cords Rich?? All 4 of them (including the tightening ones)??

Yeah basically Stu

Last night was the first time for me and it worked a treat after reading the thread.

I gathered the two central ones together and tied them to one side of the hammock cord on the krab, then I passed the two outer ones through the webbing loops, gathered them together and then tied them to the krab also. Do this at both ends then once you get them tied on it pulls it into shape a bit more.
Jump in then tighten up the outers with the toggles in the middle.

I`ll put some piccies up of this method later if you`re still struggling Stu

[Lurch]

I hope somebody can help me so im not faffing about for hours at the meet and loosing my rag (I can sometimes be a little impatient).


Yeah, but where's the fun in that?
:D

There'll be plenty of seasoned underblanketers at middlewood to give advice if that's the meet you mean.

[IntrepidStu]

Yeah, but where's the fun in that?
:D

There'll be plenty of seasoned underblanketers at middlewood to give advice if that's the meet you mean.

You're a cruel cruel man!!

[IntrepidStu]

Yeah basically Stu

Last night was the first time for me and it worked a treat after reading the thread.

I gathered the two central ones together and tied them to one side of the hammock cord on the krab, then I passed the two outer ones through the webbing loops, gathered them together and then tied them to the krab also. Do this at both ends then once you get them tied on it pulls it into shape a bit more.
Jump in then tighten up the outers with the toggles in the middle.

I`ll put some piccies up of this method later if you`re still struggling Stu

Please please give us some piccys Rich. That would be fantastic!!

[Shewie]

Please please give us some piccys Rich. That would be fantastic!!

Will do, it`ll be about 5 o`clock

[Chainsaw]

This link (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=279484&postcount=42) seems pretty clear, does it help? May be a bit obsolete depending on underblanket models but should be pretty close. I was shown this way, didn't have the toggley things though.

Cheers,

Alan

[Mr Adoby]

I have some pics in my thread about when I tested my DD Hammock/Underquilt by the lake.

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34761

http://upload.snelhest.org/images/08101806bedtime.jpg

http://upload.snelhest.org/images/08101807morning.jpg

I tie the two middle/lower cords very short around the rope for the hammock. And the two outer/upper cords around the ridgeline for the tarp (near the trees).

A.

[IntrepidStu]

This link (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=279484&postcount=42) seems pretty clear, does it help? May be a bit obsolete depending on underblanket models but should be pretty close. I was shown this way, didn't have the toggley things though.

Cheers,

Alan


That got to be the wierdest hammock set up ever. It looks like the hammock is hung from a ridge line using prussicks. The use of the loops on the underblanket is a good idea but apart from that, its a little TO far from my setup.

Cheers Chainsaw.

[SimonM]

Don't forget that The man, Wanderinstar, will be at Middlewood - I'm sure he'll run a master class on how to fit them ... especially if you bribe him with booze!

Sorry Ian, I think you just got volunteered!:lmao: :lmao:

Simon

Edit:

Top tip from Ian - Take some mini krabs with you, I think he said you need 6.

[Chainsaw]

That got to be the wierdest hammock set up ever. It looks like the hammock is hung from a ridge line using prussicks. The use of the loops on the underblanket is a good idea but apart from that, its a little TO far from my setup.

Cheers Chainsaw.

It's not a DD hammock which is why it's set up differently but the underblanket set up is still valid, it's almost exactly the way I set mine up with my DD. 2 bungees to the Krab and 2 up to the ridgeline (or even over towards each other to cinch in the top ends of the underblanket) The loops are optional, MK uses them.

Cheers,

Alan

[Mr Adoby]

Also there are some very good pics on the DD Hammock Gallery.

http://www.ddhammocks.com/gallery.php?id=9

Those pics was what I based my setup on. But if its to far between the trees, then the ridge line will make it possible to tie the long cords without stretching them too much.

A.

[In Wood]

Hi Stu

What I have done to hang my underblanket is the following (Ian Dent Willoughby showed me this way and he designed them).

The two outer cords that run the full length of the blanket go up and over the tarp ridge line and I have attached them to the other side of the blanket (ie where the opposite cord comes from) with small karabiners.

So at the head end, the R/H cord comes from its exit point on the blanket up over the ridge line and down to the L/H side of the blanket where the L/H cord exits the blanket from and attaches with a small karabiner, the L/H cord does the mirror image of this.

Repeat this at the foot end.

The two shorter inner cords at the head end, I have joined to each other using prussic (sliding) knots, these both then clip into the karabiner that holds the hammock to the tree and is tensioned by sliding the prussic knots further down the opposite cord.

Repeat this at the foot end

I hope this makes sense for you, but if not I will be at Middlewood as will many others who will gladly help you set up.

Doing it this way takes care of the problem of the trees being too far apart or putting too much stress on the shock cords. F it gets too tight the slip knots slip slightly to give a little slack.

[Shewie]

This is how I`ve tried it so far Stu, hopefully if I can make it over Saturday I`ll try and catch up with Ian anyway to see how he suggests.

I tried this method last night and it does the trick no problem. If you tie the cords under light tension then there`s plenty of give for adjustments later.

Basically I gather the inner cords together and tie them to the krab, then I do the same with the outers. Maybe it`s a little crude but it keeps it nice and simple for now.


So just pull the inner cords up to the krab and tie them off with a quick release knot.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd291/Shewie01/DSC00732.jpg


Hopefully here you can see the inner cords under the hammock cord, then above those are the outers.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd291/Shewie01/DSC00733.jpg


End result

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd291/Shewie01/DSC00735.jpg


I`m sure there loads of ways and we can learn some more on Saturday

[IntrepidStu]

Cheers Rich. If it works, it works!! which ever way I end up doing it, Im sure It will be well tested with the freezing weather coming.

Looking forward to meeting you mate.
Stu

[wanderinstar]

right, where do I begin. As Simon says I will be at Middlewood so keep your temper Stu. If you go here, this is how I set mine up.


http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=343013&postcount=92 ;)


First of all you could do with 6 mini karabiners ( you don't need them but it makes job easier). Dealing with one end . Take the 2 inner cords and tie them back on themselves, so halving the length. Then fit one krab through the 2 loops and attach this to the main hammock karabiner. Then fit one outer cord through the loop at the end of blanket and then pass this over the ridgeline and attach to the loop on the other side with another mini krab. Do the same with the cord on the other side.Where these go over the ridgeline it may help to fitt prussic loops on ridgeline to pull them slightly towards the tree.

Don't forget though. The cords are there to support the blanket ONLY not you.

Passing the outer loops over the ridge line eliminates the pucker in the middle like you have Shewie, in your setup. It applies just enoughtension to keep end of blanket Snug, (excuse the pun) against the hammock and stops any breeze blowing through cooling you down.

[IntrepidStu]

Not read your full post yet but the link doesnt work.

[wanderinstar]

I know, I have just had a right job. Try it now.

[Shewie]

Passing the outer loops over the ridge line eliminates the pucker in the middle like you have Shewie, in your setup. It applies just enoughtension to keep end of blanket Snug, (excuse the pun) against the hammock and stops any breeze blowing through cooling you down.



Ahh I see now, I couldn`t work out why you`d need to take it so high and over the ridge line. I do find though that when I`m laid in the hammock, the "pucker" (great word btw) flattens out slightly, but probably not enough to expel any breezes.

Cheers Ian, I think something has just clicked in my brain

[IntrepidStu]

right, where do I begin. As Simon says I will be at Middlewood so keep your temper Stu. If you go here, this is how I set mine up.




First of all you could do with 6 mini karabiners ( you don't need them but it makes job easier). Dealing with one end . Take the 2 inner cords and tie them back on themselves, so halving the length. Then fit one krab through the 2 loops and attach this to the main hammock karabiner. Then fit one outer cord through the loop at the end of blanket and then pass this over the ridgeline and attach to the loop on the other side with another mini krab. Do the same with the cord on the other side.Where these go over the ridgeline it may help to fitt prussic loops on ridgeline to pull them slightly towards the tree.

Don't forget though. The cords are there to support the blanket ONLY not you.

Passing the outer loops over the ridge line eliminates the pucker in the middle like you have Shewie, in your setup. It applies just enoughtension to keep end of blanket Snug, (excuse the pun) against the hammock and stops any breeze blowing through cooling you down.

Goooood Man Ian.

[Shewie]

If I hang my ridge line above my tarp would you recommend hooking the outers over a utility line underneath.
I would have thought I`d get rain running down the shock cords if I hooked them over an exposed bit of ridge line ?

Any hows I`ve just ordered a few more mini crabs off ebay

[wanderinstar]

Yes Richard,
Put a thinner line in, or as you say use your utility line.