Tramp questions

Hey All,
I was lucky enough to get a new tramp for my hobie at christmas time. I explained to the person that bought it for me that it MUST be a hobie tramp due to the whole class legal thing. I opened the box (wohoo!!!!) and found the tramp and a recipt from the seller. The price is in line with a new hobie tramp, it came from a hobie dealer, but it doesnt say hobie anywhere on the tramp/box/packaging. Can anyone give me a way to tell if it's a genuine hobie tramp? Also, I need to get lacing for it and directions on how to do it. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Cory

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82 named SeaBass

Don't know about any official "Hobie" branding, but the Hobie tramps are heat-welded, not stitched. If the tramp you have is stitched together at the seams, it isn't a Hobie.

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

For tramp lacing, you need 49 feet of good quality, low-stretch 1/4" diameter line. Cut two 15 ft pieces for the aft lacing and one 19 ft piece for the center lacing.

Brian C

it's welded so it must b a hobie!!!!

low stretch cord? How do you feel about shock cord that hobie offers?

Thank you sooooooo much for the replies and the piece of mind knowing it's a hobie tramp.

Cory

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82 named SeaBass

You can use bungee on a 16 tramp if you like, though you will loose a bit of stiffness in the boat. I prefer a tight tramp and would stick to low-stretch lacing line.

Brian C

I usually use 1/4" Dacron from the local marine supply store. It will last a few seasons and is relatively inexpensive.

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Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Is there a cadilliac of lacing line?

Thanks

Cory

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82 named SeaBass

A Cadillac of lacing line?

If you want big, heavy, poor handling but comfy, go with the bungee (not that it makes the 16 any bigger or heavier, but it does reduce the stiffness of the boat considerably).

If you, however, want the Porsche or the Lotus of lacing line, go with any good pre-stretched line, especially one with good UV protection that doesn't take on water. Then, follow the various guides on this board (especially soaking the line, using the mainsheet to pre-bend the side rails a bit, and either using a buddy or a tool to keep the lines tight as you lace) to lace up the tramp real tight. Also, think about doubling the grommets in the center of the tramp for extra tightness (and less losing the mainsheet!).

The trampoline on the 14 and 16 contributes almost all of the stiffness of the boat. A nice tight tramp will make the hulls much more "connected" and give you a much better feel for what the boat is doing, especially when trapped out. Thile the bungee'd tramp was nice and bouncy (I tried it once), the tight tramp is by no means uncomfortable.

Just my 2c!

*edit*

Just FYI: the other boats do not depend on the tramp tightness for stiffness nearly as much. Because of the pylons that the 14 and 16 tramp sit on, there is little resistance to twisting at this juncture. On all other boats, the crossbar beams are attached all the way across each hull (two bolts that attach to the inner and outer lip of the 17 and 18, right through the hulls in the rotomolds, two bolts on the inside and outside of the deck of the FX-One and Tiger, not sure about other boats but a similar idea).

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

Even on the boats other than the 14 & 16, tramp tension is important. The tramp gives rigidity to the 90 deg angle formed by the hulls and the cross beams. It is more difficult to get the tight tramp when you can't pre-bend the side rails.

Not matter what line you use, you will have to retension the tramp lacing a few times the first season you have a new tramp. The tramp will stretch too.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

I sailed a H16 for 20 years, so I have a little experence. Bungies are so, so even for just the back. I would highly recommend getting the grommet kit and double the number of grommets along the center line. Then lace the tramp twice along the center with low streach line, original gromets for one lacing and the new grommets for the second. Tighten alternatlly 2-3 times so you can increase the tension a bit each time. You end up with a drum tight tramp without needing any special tools and have tha added safety factor 2 line support. It also helps keep the sheets from falling through. Retighten as needed

First of all, thanks a million to everyone that has helped me out with this.

k, i'm sold on the prestretched line but now I have a couple more questions.



How much do I want to bend the side rails? I have an electric winch available to me that I could use to pre bend em but I don't wnat to over do it so any help with this is appreciated.



where can I get this kit and is it easy to install?

Again, thanks a million for everyone's help

Cory

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82 named SeaBass

A winch would be waaaay overdoing it. There is a older discussion somewhere on this board (I am not a search expert, if anyone can find it please let us know) on the subject, but when I did it I pulled tham in about 2 inches total - not very much, then again you are bending against the strongest axis of the rails.

If you don't feel comfortable with this you don't HAVE to do it - just make sure your lacing is nice and tight.


You can usually find a grommet cutter/setter at your local hardware store along with a pack of grommets (1/2-inch brass generally works). You could also get the kit from Hobie (item 2061, on pg 21 of the catalog). The kit is 'intended' for doubling the grommets on the rear lacing-line, but new tramps already have this, but it works jsut as well to double the center lacing!

Don't forget, you'll need two lengths of center lacing-line, or one double-length.

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

Read Matt Miller's contribution to tramp tightening, about halfway down this thread. I used it and it works - http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewt ... ht=prebend

Wow,
Everyone has been uber helpful on this topic!!!! Wish I could take ya all out for a beer for all of the advise. Thanks again.
Cory

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82 named SeaBass

Careful about offering beer to cat sailors. BTW... where are you located

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO