a few more questions...

...i've been getting a little paranoid lately because when i looked at the boat, before i bought it, i pulled out the drain plugs and noticed they were wet. it was raining that day, but i'm wondering if there's ever supposed to be any water in the hulls? if there are leaks in the hulls, are they difficult to fix?

also, can anyone explain how i rig up the main sheet? i'm using a single block on each of the two bales on the boom, and a double block attached to the traveller. i just need to know where to start the sheet, which order and direction to use to run it through the blocks, and where to finish.

in the pictures i've seen, when people are hiking out, but not using a trapeze, they are both grabbing to sheets to keep from falling off the boat. which sheets are these that can be used for this purpose?

also, i'd like to prop the mast on the rear end of the tramp frame when trailering, since it will save me some welding. there is a prop for the mast at the front of the trailer, but the rear one is fustigated, and i'd like ot just cut it off. someone here said already that it's safe for the tramp, but what is the absolute most economical way to secure it there? can i just use some solid bungees and cushion it with some beach towels ?

i think that's all for now. thanks again, everybody.

There may have been some water in the hulls from a prior sail. It seems like there is always a little water in them after every sail. You should always leave the plugs out and the bows elevated to any water will drain after using. If you’re seeing a lot of water then you may have a leak that should be addressed. Mix up some water with liquid soap. Set up a vacuum cleaner so it blows and have someone hold it against the drain plug holes. Spray the soapy water on all the seams, pylons and bolt holes to see if you get any bubbles. If you do repair the leak.

Take a look at the Hobie technical page and download the owners manual. You can probably figure it out on your own by setting up the boat and stringing it yourself. Start by running the sheet through the cam cleat on the lower block. Go to one of the singles, back to the double, back to the other single and tie off on the fairlead on the double. Your good as long as there’s no line crossovers.

Don’t use the sheets as the primary thing to hold you in place while hiking out. That’s what the hiking straps on the tramp are for.

Use a throwable with some bungees.

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i looked over the manual and i can't find the hiking straps on the tramp. is it something i have to install?

If the tramp is old they probably rotted off long ago. You can make your own with some grommets, 5/16 line and six surfboard rack pads.

Find the center of each tramp section. Put in a grommet about two inches from the front and from the rear.

Measure between the two grommets and divide into thirds. Place two grommets about two inches apart at each one third point

Repeat on the other tramp section.

Take the line, tie a figure eight knot in one end, run it through the front grommet and put one of the rack pads on it. Run down through the second grommet and up through the third. Add another pad and run the line through the next set of grommets. Add another pad, run the line through the last grommet. Tie another figure eight and cut off the excess line.

Repeat on the other tramp section. You now have hiking straps that won't rot out.

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does anyone have any pictures of these lines? i'm having a little trouble figuring this out without a picture...sorry. the tramp is brand, new by the way, maybe i'm just not seeing what's already there.

If it's new there should be straps sewn to the tramp. Is it a Hobie tramp? Is it on upside down?

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Take a look at http://www.esys.org/news/hobie-ueberschlag.jpg . See the black strap on the blue tramp? That's the hiking strap.

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Love the hand with the death grip on the tiller crossbar

Think he saved it?

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

I am saying he is to far over to save that, I didn't know those boats could stuff hulls, I thought they had to much floatation, but it looks like he did more than just stuff it.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Where there's a will there's a way.

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is there any way to rig up something to hang on to, only using a sheet(s)? i'd really rather not screw up a new tramp by trying to alter it or put grommets in it, because, god knows, if anyone could mess it up it would be me.

You rock. My sister lives in Maui and I'm gonna look you up on my next visit and hound you for a ride.

You can hang on to anything you want but you're asking for trouble if it's the sheets. You need to be able to trim them in or out in a split second to keep from getting blown over or avoiding another boat. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do but you'll be in a much better position to control the boat if you use hiking straps and use the sheets to trim.

One thought. You don't have to extend all the way out when using a trapeze. I'll be hooked up but will be kneeling with my feet on the deck and the tibia against the side bar. If the wind picks up I can extend all the way out and put my feet on the side bar. If the wind drops I can roll up on to the tramp.

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What part of the island does she live on? Do you belong to Fleet 87? I was a member of Fleet 20 for years.

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yeah, well i was thinking i could just tie some line to something, maybe pylons or part of the frame? i think it's really good advice not to use the main sheet or any other sheets (that are being used for another purpose) to hike out, but i was thinking i could use some spare sheets to hike out if i tied them somewhere structurally sound. wondering if anyone had any ideas. (by the way, i don't have a trapeze, so it's not an option right now)

thanks again , you guys, for so much help. really, i wish i could do something in return.