Tramp Lacing

What is the best thing to use to lace up the tramp? I laced mine with stretch cord and after only a couple hours of sailing, it is loose. I'm wondering if it's because the stretch cord is old, or if the stretch cord simply...drum roll...stretches. Thought maybe I'd get some advice with those who have tried out other things.


happy sailing!

I use old halyards or I buy 1/4" dacron (or other no streach) line. The tramp itself will streach and you will have to retighten a few times during your first season with it, but at least the line is not a culprit.

_________________
Nick

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

The lace line it normally 1/4" halyard line. Polyester braid that is slick and flexible. Runs through the grommets easily. You can pre-bend the sidebars on the 16 and 14 by using a mainsheet system. Then tension the tramp laces. You want the side bars bowed inwards by a few inches to hold tension over time.

The is a thread showing this...

If using shock cord, use 3/8" and tension a lot! It will hold, but does flex more than line.

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

soak the line in water before you lace it thro. almost all lines expand when wet so when you think it is tight dry, it turns out loose when you sail.