I've bought the Hennessy. Found it too small for my 6'5" frame and don't think the tradeoffs involved in ultra-light weight would work out for my use. I've bought the Clark Jungle Hammock II. Durability/weight seems about right and I really like the pockets....but still too small. Phoned Voyageur and left a message....twice...no reply. Heavily-invested in hammocks as I currently am, it looks to me like I'm gonna make one of these things....probably a shameless copy of Clark's with several extra feet of length and up to a foot of additional width. Sewed up an uncovered prototype out of some pack cloth I had laying around....and it seems to be just the ticket size-wise...the longer it is relative to one's body, the less the shoulders are scrunched..... The kids had a great time playing on it all afternoon. But now, I've got to find a supplier of "outdoorsey" type materials: namely fairly heavy-gauge (nylon?) with an open, breathable weave, mosquito netting, something like pack cloth only, I think, lighter for the fly, and nylon zipper by the yard. Anybody have a URL or supplier name/phone? ----------------------- Pete Cresswell *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"(Pete Cresswell)" wrote: > But now, I've got to find a supplier of "outdoorsey" type materials: namely > fairly heavy-gauge (nylon?) with an open, breathable weave, mosquito netting, > something like pack cloth only, I think, lighter for the fly, and nylon zipper > by the yard. > > Anybody have a URL or supplier name/phone? Seattle Fabrics: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/ Also check out Penny Schwyn's Outdoor Sewing page for advice and other sources: http://www.nextdim.com/users/pschwyn/tips.htm Penny can provide authoritative advice on how to sew outdoor projects. She will do the sewing, also, for a price, and did some good work for me once -- on neoprene, which is nasty to sew. No affiliation with either SF or PS. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
RE/ >Also check out Penny Schwyn's Outdoor Sewing page for advice and other >sources: http://www.nextdim.com/users/pschwyn/tips.htm Thanks. Penny looks like a good source.....I'm thinking about just mailing her the Clark and asking if she can make another one just like it, only 13 feet long. ----------------------- Pete Cresswell *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 04 Sep 2000 19:32:22 -0400, you wrote: >>Also check out Penny Schwyn's Outdoor Sewing page for advice and other >>sources: http://www.nextdim.com/users/pschwyn/tips.htm The latest SK has a comparison of hammocks. I curious: how comfortable are they to sleep on for a whole night rather than just an afternoon nap? Is it possible to sleep on one's side or is the back the only way? -- cheers, Stephen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
RE/ >I curious: how comfortable are >they to sleep on for a whole night rather than just an afternoon nap? Make yourself a note to ping me in early December. I'm going to Hawaii for the month of November and will take a hammock with an eye to using it instead of a bed or a mattress on somebody's floor. ----------------------- Pete Cresswell *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The willow tree was dripping steadily from the droplets of water condensing out of the heavy fog, making ringlets in the still water and wet spots on the seat of my kayak. The fog had been thick as I drove to the launch site, perhaps a tenth of a mile, perhaps less, and it had been a slow, careful drive. Even now, I couldn't see the familiar shore on the far side of the little cove, the site of so many launchings over the years. The first morning of Labor Day weekend. "Campground full," the sign at the gatehouse read, and I could see the dim shapes of a couple of shore fishermen as I slid silently away from the sandbank next to the boat launch. The sound of my paddle seemed irritatingly loud as I dug in, getting the boat out away from the shore and up to speed. I was in something of a hurry; the morning fog that we had experienced the last couple of days had burnt off early, and there was every reason to think that it would today, as well. We don't often get a heavy fog around here at a time that I can paddle, and I wanted to experience what it was like. Knowing the small lake well made it a perfect place to find out. There was just enough of a northeast breeze to put little ripples on the water as I headed out of the launch cove, the compass far up on the deck reading "27" -- a good enough course to get me out onto the lake. In the middle of the cove, I could just make out a dark shoreline to either side, a large clump of trees to my right marking its end. I kept paddling west for a ways, until the clump of trees was lost, then turned northwest, to get farther out onto the lake. Quietly, all of the shoreline cues disappeared into the warm mist, and I was surrounded by a limp gray dome perhaps a couple of hundred yards across. I paddled that course for a while, far enough, I hoped, that I would put the point where the lake bent away to the east out of sight, then turned to a heading of 60 degrees, aiming for a point a mile or so away on the lake's inlet channel. Once upon a time, I used to be a pilot with an instrument rating, so I had some experience with navigating without ground reference, old though the experience was. The light breeze and the ripples on the lake did give me some cues, though, but I kept wandering off course to the right, probably the effect of the wind on the bow having something to do with it. To see if I could stabilize the course, I turned around and dropped the rudder into the water, and that seemed to help, although I had to keep scanning the compass every few seconds to make sure that I stayed on course. I checked my watch, and noted from experience that at the speed I was going, I ought to be getting close to the inlet in ten minutes or so. I mentally kicked myself for sleeping so late on a weekend day -- it would have been more interesting to have had more time to deal with the fog. Even now, I could tell that it was more light to the east than to the west, the effects of the sun peeking through, and I was guessing that the fog wouldn't last long. Sure enough, in ten minutes or so, there began to be a little darkness along the level of the horizon in front of me, and in a minute or two, it materialized into the bluff to the south of the channel I was seeking. My wanderings off course to the right had brought me out fifty or a hundred yards to the right of where I had wanted to come out. Still, I couldn't complain, since I hadn't been sure of the exact course that I had needed, anyway. I turned away from the solace of the shore, and back into the gray nothingness of the lake. Now, with the breeze more or less on the other side and a little behind, I still felt something of a tendancy to be blown off course, but as I paddled back the way I had come, I soon realized that it wouldn't matter much, for a dim yellow ball of morning sun could be seen over my shoulder, and the visibility was rising. Through thin spots I could see a hint of blue sky, and before long, I could see the dark loom of the familiar shoreline at each end of the lake. By the time I rounded the point, visibility was up to half a mile, and it was warming up quickly. I thought about throwing the boat back onto the trailer, since it was going to get hot and humid quickly, but decided that since I was out I might as well head on out to the far end of the lake, just to see what was out there on this still morning. Near the narrow entrance to the western section of the lake, at a place I call "Buzzard Point" a couple of dead trees and some of the surrounding live ones were filled with Turkey Vultures -- I could count fifty, and expected that there were more back in the branches that I couldn't see. Many of the birds had their wings half spread, to try and dry out in the dim light of the sun. I once had a cup of coffee with the elderly man that had once owned the land here, and he told me that the buzzards had been hanging out there as long as he could remember, long before it had been a lake. As I entered the western section of the lake, I was greeted with an unfamiliar sight -- as if a high bluff had grown there overnight. Blinking, I realized that it was just a familiar reed bed and the brush behind it, but lit brilliantly by the morning sunlight through a hole in the fog. On the far side of this part of the lake, I came around a corner, to find a spread of goose decoys and a canoe pulled up in the weeds. Early goose season started yesterday, and I hadn't seen any geese this morning -- in fact, hadn't seen any on the lake in a month or more -- so took a minute to talk with the hunters, who I remembered from last year. Nothing doing, they told me, but admitted it had been a real interesting trip out to the blind in their canoe in the fog before dawn. The sun had pretty well broken through by now, and it wasn't really foggy any more -- just what I'd call "hazy." I turned around and headed back to the launch, taking it easy, knowing that it was going to be really uncomfortable after it warmed up some more. Now able to see where I was going, it was a familiar trip back. Along the way, I saw some strange looking birds on the water, but they proved to be comorants when I got closer. It's still a while before the flyways will be filled with the fall migration, but it's something to look forward to. A few minutes later, the boat was sitting on the sand of the launch again. The willow tree was still dripping as I went to get the van and trailer. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have two 1"-diameter holes in my stern tip on my Sea Lion from where I removed my rudder. These are currently plugged by a bolt/gasket/washer kluge that I would like to replace with a permanent filler. Any recommendations for epoxy/stuff that would be most compatible with a Sea Lion's polypropylene and that would keep these holes watertight in temperatures ranging from freezing to high-90's. I use the boat only in freshwater. Thanks. Tom Joyce *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I bet P-tex would work. The same stuff they repair alpine ski bottoms with. Just light it and melt it in. I'd heat up the hole first so it would flow into the hole well. Good Luck Jed *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Tom, I can't imagine how you ever got 2 holes 1 inch in diameter for the rudder on your plastic Sea Lion, but I believe you. If these holes are deep, maybe a half inch or more, I might try some marine sealant to fill them in. Then for back-up, do an end pour with more sealant. An end pour is when you stand the kayak vertically and pour material into the end. Your bolt, gasket and nut system is probably working well, but I imagine you are looking for a more aesthetic way to seal the holes. My question is why are you removing the rudder from the Sea Lion anyway? Use that darn thing and make life easier for yourself. A rudder isn't a bad thing! When someone gives me crap about using a rudder, I tell them they can suck on it, because chances are very high that I can out paddle, cross, storm, surf, roll, brace and scull that someone anyway. Duane http://hometown.aol.com/pirateseakayaker *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> The latest SK has a comparison of hammocks. I curious: how comfortable are > they to sleep on for a whole night rather than just an afternoon nap? Is it > possible to sleep on one's side or is the back the only way? For years I slept in jungle hammocks, starting with the old military units advertised in comic books and eventually working up to a Waters hammock, which was an excellent piece of equipment. However, back in '84 I slept in the Waters hammock about 30 nights one summer and did an exceptional amount of paddling and bicycling. By the end of the season, I hurt so bad that I couldn't tell if I had lower back problems or stomach problems -- couldn't even sit at a desk to work. I wound up doing six months of floor and stretching exercises before I could sit in a kayak again. Can't say what part the hammock played, but it was so scary that I never slept in a hammock again. I found hammocks comfortable (if used in moderation). Sleeping on my back or side or side were both comfortable. There was some curvature, however, because those hammocks were not designed for diagonal sleeping. The perfect hammock might be one that can also be set up on the ground as a bivy tent, so that it can be used where there are no trees or can give one an occasional night "on the flat." Recently I bought a Hennesey Hammock thinking it would be the perfect light-weight shelter and determined to try hammocking again. I cannot imagine how one could actually sleep in this unit and question whether the SK reviewer actually did so. The hammock is so thin that cold soaks through the bottom. I tried the space blanket pinned to the outside , but that wasn't wholly effective and attaching the blanket was a pain in the neck. It was impossible to position a pad inside. It was terribly difficult to get into a sleeping bag inside the hammock and nearly impossible to turn over. The entrance, while a great idea on paper, was hard to access from inside the hammock, especially once I managed to get into the bag. I am about get rid of the Hennesey but wonder if I am missing something here. Most equipment has more redeeming features than the Hennesey Hammock. Is this just me, or do others have the same problems? Rick *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, 5 Sep 2000 10:16:44 -0500, you wrote: >>The latest SK has a comparison of hammocks. I'm curious: how comfortable >>are they to sleep on for a whole night rather than just an afternoon nap? >>Is it possible to sleep on one's side or is the back the only way? >I found hammocks comfortable (if used in moderation). Sleeping on my back >or side or side were both comfortable. <snip> Thanks, Richard, for the helpful advice... along with Donald who said: "Actually the correct way to sleep in a hammock is 45 degrees across the hammock. Your spine is straight. You may sleep on your back, your side, or face down. Some hammocks are strong enough for doubles ... and are quite comfortable either single or double." -- cheers, Stephen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
RE/ >I am about get rid of the Hennesey but wonder if I am missing something >here. Most equipment has more redeeming features than the Hennesey Hammock. >Is this just me, or do others have the same problems? I bought a Hennessy too. Within fifteen minutes of having strung it up in the back yard, I had put an 8" tear in the mosquito netting - and I have no idea how.... now there are three tears and I still don't have a clue... I found it much, much too small for my 6'5" bod. Maybe if somebody is 5'3" or so it would work... Also, it seemed to me like the durability tradeoffs in favor of light weight were a bit extreme...but then, I'm no backpacker. Actually, the one thing that seemed promising about it was the slit entry/exit in the bottom - although when I used it, I couldn't get a good seal. OTOH, I never tried it with a sleeping bag.... ----------------------- Pete Cresswell *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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