Making Tramps: Buckle Alternatives?

After grab lines, I think the second mod for my 2015 AI will be tramps.

I'm thinking two half-tramps on each side. Half-tramps because the slit between the two halves leaves me the option of sewing a mesh gear bag underneath the slit for whatever seems to want quick access... as in a hank of general-purpose line.... and also maybe it will turn out that just a half tramp on each side will work for me.

What I am currently obsessing about is securing the rear of each tramp.

I would like to avoid the plastic snap connectors like Hobie and others use because they seem prone to breakage in use (I weigh 210#). Also, they don't seem very hand-friendly when it comes to tensioning.....

OTOH, my inner Magilla-The-Gorilla, says that maybe do I not want *too* much tension?

One option would be some flavor of spring cam clamp like those on most roof rack tiedowns: maybe 3 on each half-tramp.

But the one that's calling out to me at the moment is sewing a bunch of webbing loops (instead of grommets) on the back of each half-tramp and bungee-lacing them to the rear aka a-la Hobie 14's/16's: cheap, simple....

Does anybody see a problem with this? First thing that comes to my mind is the PITA factor if/when I want to strike the tramps - as in an approaching squall.

Other solutions? .....Somewhere I saw somebody using cam clamps that were c-shaped on one side so as to grab on to the fiberglass rod in the tramp.... but I can't find the ref. The example tramp was black and the straps were red.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

Try 2 inch wide hook and loop velcro strap works for me I weigh 225 lbs.
One wrap velcro Back to Back fastening system with a polyethylene Hook flame laminated to a nylon Loop. Available in Black 50mm wide.

Hello from Thailand.Have you considered using just lacing with fine rope?We use plastic mesh with welded sleeves around the borders.At the end insert half inch pvc pipe.With a heated phillips head srew driver you punch holes about 6 inches apart.then simply lash both ends to your aka arms with strong cord.You only need to tension one end after assembly,the other side just stays tied to the aka.you can leave the tramp attached to both akas,simply remove the knuckles from the boat,then roll the tramp up on each aka.Tramps like this stop amas from folding in too!.Happy sailing.

Sorry,forgot to mention I weigh about 110kg(roughly 240 lbs)and my tramps support my weight comfortably.Cheers.

I weave 300 lb load cargo straps through and around the buckles as a backup. Takes about 1 min on each side. I'm on my iPhone or I would get get you a link to the thread on this forum. If you do a search on "cargo straps", a thread from me should come up discussing how I hardened my TI using cargo straps.

I know feel a lot better about the plastic buckles with cargo straps. I believe the the front of the tramps will now give way first.

I just read FusionEng's post about folding an aka in the surf (viewtopic.php?f=71&t=55774&p=262509&hilit=zipper#p262509)
What caught my eye was ".... in that situation you kind of want that safety line to snap and allow the AMA to fold against the hull (it's safest from further damage there). Of course by that point all your tramp clips have snapped and need to be replaced (the tramp clips break away like a zipper one at a time)."

That seems to beg the question of how durable/survivable we want those rear attachments to be.

Maybe this is a topic for another thread with a more specific title....

So it seems like my idea of attaching with a hold-down strap spirial-wound around tramp and aka would be defeating the shear bolts.

So now I seem to be looking for a breakaway solution that will support my 210# of lard, but will give away before aka or hull damage AND not require replacement of the parts.

The Velcro seems promising... but raises the question of whether it will break away in time to protect the rest of the rig.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]