How Long Will New Hobie Mesh Trampoline Last

I just bought my first H16 a month ago and made several repairs (delamination of decks, trailer suspension and tires, sealing hulls at pylons and gudgeons, rudder cams, etc.) before feeling comfortable about getting out on the water. Long story short, my tramp is old and hiking straps are gone. I knew it was only a matter of time, but had hoped to get a season out of it. I went to step the mast and (son of a) put my heal through one of the perforated squares where the straps were once attached. I am not sure I even want to try and repair it. These things take a tremendous beating and I am not sure a patch on an older tramp is worth the heartache of future tears.

I have read a few claims from others stating that a new tramp could last 20 years. Sounds great and I want to believe it, but would like to here from some of you on the condition, # of outings per season and age of your Hobie (OEM) mesh tramps. I guess I am trying to talk myself (and my wife) into spending the $427 + lacing + ??? for a new one.

Also, one more question. Do any of you recommend wearing shoes/sandals when standing on the tramp (i.e. stepping the mast.) I have a feeling had I distributed my weight on the heal of my sandals rather than my bare heal I would not have damaged the tramp so soon. I knew however it was inevitable.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Billy
Louisville, KY

I've got an OEM black mesh tramp on my 16 that's eight years old and the only signs of wear are caused by trailering (mast support rubs on the rear strip).

Shoes or barefoot, I don't think it really makes a difference when stepping the mast. I usually go barefoot to keep from getting sand / dirt on the tramp.

I think it was just a coincidence that you put your heel on a weak point.

I can only speak about the solid tramps. My 86 H18 has the original tramp when I bought it in 2000. It had been sitting out in the sun all year for about 3 years before I bought it. I then sailed it just about every weekend during the sailing season the first 2 years I had it. I then had a summer off and sailed pretty much every day. I then sold it a year later when I bought my H18. The new owner still has it and it is still in good shape.

My H18 tramp was original with the boat in '82 and I just replaced it this season. The old one was just too worn to trust it for one more season.

Wash the tramp off when you are done sailing and bring it inside during the winter and you will get a couple of decades out of it.

_________________
Nick

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

I have a Hobie mesh tramp thats been on for two seasons in the sun. Hobie makes the best mesh tramp but its expensive. Salty Dog makes a lesser quality tramp for 200 or 300 less, remember you get what you pay for. Thermo-weld is better than stitching. Also if you race it must be Hobie equipment.

Just to be clear...

Salty sells a cheap bias ply and sewn tramp for $333.00

The Hobie Mesh Vinyl is $468.00 and is available in several colors.

That is just $135.00 more... not 2-3 hundered.

Hobie also sells a "value" trampoline. The White Vinyl tramps are priced to compete with the vendors who sell the cheap sewn material tramps.

Hobie sells the OEM Vinyl for $357.00 ($27.00 more than the cheap sewn one?)

That is just $27 bucks more for the Hobie Class legal OEM trampoline that will be trouble free for years to come.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I bought a used 18 and it had the original tramp. It was not very well cared for and not covered most of it's life. When I got it I kept it covered about 80% of the time I still figure with the abuse the tramp was 15+ years old when I finally replaced it, not that it failed, but it needed new hiking straps and I wanted a different color...

The original was Hobie and replaced with Hobie...

Brian