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Vinyl or mesh?
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=38497		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  fulforddoug [ Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Vinyl or mesh?
I'm going to be in the market soon for a new tramp. Should I go vinyl or mesh? Anyone out there who's had experience with both?
Author:  richandpat [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
I've had vinyl for about 20 years and have had mesh for about the past 11 years. I prefer mesh. Vinyl holds water so you are sometimes sitting in a small puddle of water. The water gets in through the ropes going down the center of your tramp and occasionally over the front of your boat. Mesh breaks up the water coming in and drains all of it going out. I would buy a mesh tramp again if I had to.
Author:  DavidBell47 [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
richandpat wrote:
I've had vinyl for about 20 years and have had mesh for about the past 11 years. I prefer mesh. Vinyl holds water so you are sometimes sitting in a small puddle of water. The water gets in through the ropes going down the center of your tramp and occasionally over the front of your boat. Mesh breaks up the water coming in and drains all of it going out. I would buy a mesh tramp again if I had to.

What he said . . . . plus, I believe a mesh lowers the propensity to capsize. It doesn't act like a sail but allows the wind to blow through it as opposed to against it. I have capsized a lot less with the mesh !!! It also has a better grip !!! Just my take !!! :roll: :roll: :roll:
Author:  wildlatin [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
Not to highjack but... :wink:
What about the ability of mesh to be tightened, with the resulting stability of the entire boat? I only have experience with vinyl- and older tramps at that which seem to stretch pretty easily over time...
Which brings to mind the issue of ease of installation- I do know that vinyl tramps are pretty much fun :roll: to install...
Author:  srm [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
wildlatin wrote:
What about the ability of mesh to be tightened, with the resulting stability of the entire boat?


Virtually all the racers use mesh tramps. That's gotta tell you something about their ability to be tightened.

sm
Author:  wildlatin [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
srm wrote:
Virtually all the racers use mesh tramps. That's gotta tell you something about their ability to be tightened.

Great! That answers that part...
Any experiences in mesh tramp installation vs. vinyl?

For that matter, how about construction of mesh tramps vs. the Hobie vinyl heatsealed method (which seems to last virtually forever!)
Are mesh tramps just sewn together? :wink:
Author:  ronholm [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
The only argument I have heard for vinyl is that they are 'drier'.

I have the same puddling problem on my 16... and don't have that issue with the mesh on the 18... and I don't really have any issues with water blowing through the 18 tramp... So.. uuuhh yeah...

Also.. on 16's I have sailed with the mesh it seems once really flying a hull they feel like they don't get blown over as easy when way up... but I dunno.. I would think the difference is marginal...


If buying one... I would buy mesh... looks better.. feels better...
Author:  wildlatin [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
ronholm wrote:
The only argument I have heard for vinyl is that they are 'drier'...
Here's one- they last- how many mesh tramps can hold up to elements and use for 30+ years!
Kinda playing :evil: advocate...
Any comments about the durability of mesh tramps?
Author:  ronholm [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
I have to admit that is true... The reason my 16 is not wearing mesh is because the almost 30 year old tramp is still serviceable...


:P
Author:  sunvista [ Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
I've had both. Mesh seems a little harder on the knees. I wear knee pads now. I don't remember ever getting tramp burn with vinyl. I think another consideration would be if you sail predominately in cold, rough water. Getting a continuous cold water douche through mesh is not a happy experience.
Author:  56kz2slow [ Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
I prefer vinyl. I sail with a friend with a mesh tramp and I have a vinyl tramp. With the mesh tramp on a rough day, it's like getting an enema. It's probably worse on my friend's boat, he has a Getaway, so the tramp is a bit closer to the water.

I need to put a rope catcher on mine, that should cut more of the water on the tramp.

Oh and if the water pools on a vinyl tramp, just need to fly a hull and it will slide right off.
Author:  Bill 404 [ Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
If you are sailing in cooler to down right cold waters you probable want vinyl.I have a replacement mesh tramp on my 1981 16' and the original vinyl on my 1989 21SE.Keep your tramp covered which ever you choose. :D
Bill 404 21SE
Author:  Dave Long [ Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
fulforddoug wrote:
I'm going to be in the market soon for a new tramp. Should I go vinyl or mesh? Anyone out there who's had experience with both?

I purchased a new Mesh tramp from Atomic Tarp, great price!
Author:  J_Eaton [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
fulforddoug wrote:
I'm going to be in the market soon for a new tramp. Should I go vinyl or mesh? Anyone out there who's had experience with both?
I've raced with both. No (noticeable) difference in performance under 12 knots. You're not fast if your hull is far enough out of the water to let the tramp catch air. Mesh is harder on the knees.

If you're in to flying hulls, and usually sail in higher winds, the mesh may be a slight advantage. I like solid, on my recreational boat, to extend my sailing season earlier and later in the year. I like to fly hulls and have no problem dealing with the solid tramp. If water is pooling on your tramp, it may not be laced tight enough?
Author:  jmecky [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vinyl or mesh?
J_Eaton wrote:
fulforddoug wrote:
I'm going to be in the market soon for a new tramp. Should I go vinyl or mesh? Anyone out there who's had experience with both?
I've raced with both. No (noticeable) difference in performance under 12 knots. You're not fast if your hull is far enough out of the water to let the tramp catch air. Mesh is harder on the knees.

If you're in to flying hulls, and usually sail in higher winds, the mesh may be a slight advantage. I like solid, on my recreational boat, to extend my sailing season earlier and later in the year. I like to fly hulls and have no problem dealing with the solid tramp. If water is pooling on your tramp, it may not be laced tight enough?



I agree with J_Eaton
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