Hiking Straps

Hello everyone. I've been doing a little work on my H16 and currently have the tramp off of the boat. I have been thinking about replacing the hiking straps on my old blue vinyl tramp, which have long since worn off. I have found a local upholstry place that says they can do the sewing for me. I am planning on using old seat belts from a junk car to make the straps.

That being said I was wondering if some of ya'll would chime in with some advice. I've seen some straps twisted across the tramp, what do you think of this? I think it would make getting the foot in there easier, but could also cause a little extra chafing on warmer/more unprotected days. If so, is there just one twist from the front to the middle, and then one more from the middle to the back? I believe they originally just ran flat across the tramp. I have also seen some straps that have been attached with grommets, but his worries me a bit. Do they need to be reinforced? Will they cut you as you slide across them? Do they weaken the tramp? If none of these apply, what is a recommended method? (It would certainly be cheaper)

And then, how many of you actually take advantage of the hiking straps? I'm a novice sailor and haven't sailed on any real choppy water, but I have yet to really need them it seems. I'm a taller guy and the times I felt I've needed it I've been able to stick my feet in between the lacing of the tramp, with my tail still on/just off the sidebar, but it's rather uncomfortable. Should I put them where they origianlly were or accomodate them solely on where I need them , for when I'm not trapped out, but on the tiller?

Sorry for so many questions. Any advise is appreciated.

James

James:

I don't have a stock tramp, but if you look at these pics you can see how they are attached. Tou wn't notice the twist when setting on it. They stitched with grommet also in back and stiching in the middle.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... _photo.php

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... _photo.php

Hope this helps.

Doug

Thank you for the reply Doug. I have seen those picures before. You have a beautiful boat. It's probably where I first saw the grommets used with the hiking straps. I see you have incorporated both stitching and grommets. One of my concerns is that adding grommets to my old tramp might reduce it's integrity, what do you think? I'm sure my tramp doesn't have much longer, its starting to show some of the white fibers, but its the most cost efficiant way to fix this problem right now. Do you use the straps often?

And yes, it does help. Thanks again.

James

James:

I have never used them. They came with the tramp when I got in. I have wings, so I don't really need to hike. I think I may have used them on old 16 in 79-81. They would let you hike and keep you some sliding off tramp while flying a hull before you need to trap. If you get a new one I would get one like mine. This is were mine came from, dark blue mesh.

http://www.multihullnets.com/BeachCat/bcinfo.asp

Doug

If your tramp is towards the end of it's useful life, I would pass on attaching it to the tramp, unless they would do for less than $30 bucks and it may be a weak poin to start a tear. I would probably twist it and the seat belt material probably won't chafe you as much as the current straps on most tramps, but may wear more and get all hairy if left out in the weather. If your going to sail a bit, you've got to get some mid ankle foot wear, that way you don't even have to worry about chafe and the soles stick well to tramp so you don't slide. I don't use mine as much anymore, I'm normally trapped out if I'm flying a hull. I would say I still would want them though, I sail like a freak. I need them more for the puffs to balance when not on the wire and in rough stuff or for a new guest, that you'll watch slide down your tramp. If you solo alot I would probably be creative and diagonally clip a strap from the lacing to lacing on the back third of the tramp. Like a dog leash clip that you could move around and adjust. You only need to put one foot under for control. As for comfort, it's still a 16, sorry

Thanks for the advice ya'll. I may or may not add the straps, I have yet to get a quote from the place that said they'd do it, they just said they would. Like I've said before I'm a novice sailor. I would assume that the tramp is nearing the end of its life. I can see white material on the top of the tramp in some areas, it almost looks like really compact stretch marks. Is this a sign of a tramp nearing the end of its life?

I agree about the booties. It is actually the next sailing wear item I've been wanting to get. My girlfriend and parents all joke on me now because any "present" event, birthday, Christmas kind of thing, I'm always hinting towards new sailing gear or parts. Do you have a pair that you can recommend? I've been looking at the Gill Trapeze boots.

And your right, I dont think these boats are made for comfort, but man are they fun!

James,

Some of those old tramps last FOREVER !!! Of course the hiking straps will rot out over time. I have a '75 and an '81 that the vinyl is still in great shape.

If there are no signs of the fabric tearing at the edges or grommets spending a few bucks is worth it (IMHO). The one twist of the strap is to make it easier to slide your foot under it. I jamb my heel in the strap to push myself out (while hooked in to the trap) during the puffs, for the in between winds (single trap and double trap). Riders (crew) always "feel" more comfortable having a foot under the strap.

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Thanks John. There aren't any tears in the tramp anywhere, perhaps it is just a little UV faded. I certainly want it to last as long as possible, I'm fresh out of college with a relatively small budget for sailing and could think of better ways to spend that 300+ for a new tramp, fingers crossed that is. I'm going to call and see if I can't get a quote from them to put the straps on. I can definately see how they would make the crew more comfortable/confident. It's probably worth it for that alone. I can still remember a buddy of mine sliding down the tramp after my first capsize, just had to see how high I could get that hull .

James

I agree those old tramp they keep going and going and going and going, well you get the point. if the tramp is in good shape I would roll the deice and have the straps added back on. I on the other hand never wear any kind of boot unless it cold outside, below 70. I find when it is time to really start hiking out I'm in the trap. Downwind is where I use those straps especially if it is windy! Boots are nice and a lot of people use them, I may be in the wrong business to thing like this, but I say the less tuff you need to wear and take with you the better! ever tried to swim in those boots, its not impossible but its hard.

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
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The white threads that you are talking about is a bad sign. I saw those on my Hobie 14 just before I stepped through the tramp... sorry to be the carrier of bad news.
But it might last another season or two. Don't think that you have to spend $300 bucks on a new tramp. If you go Hobie then yes, but if you go with an aftermarket tramp....you can get it alot cheaper. On ebay there are some tramps made by the Amish that look nice and I have seen two in person and they are nice and well made.
Alot of guys will tell you that the Hobie tramp is the way to go because they last alot longer and will be a better deal in the end but I know your broke feeling and the aftermarket tramp should last 10 years if treated right, and you can always re sew them.

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

Hey James,

It's always better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them. The hiking straps had rotted off my tramp as well but the tramp was in great shape. I had them sewn back on in their original location with the twist and in the process, I had some storage bags sewn on as well. I don't use the straps for hiking out because of my back but they sure give me an added sense of security while on the tramp. Since I sail solo most of the time, my greatest fear is not capsizing or even pitchpoling but falling off the boat due some unexpected movement during a manuever. It has never even almost happened (except for once when the boat unexpectedly accelerated during a tack). I feel safer trapped than sitting on the tramp. Stuff happens. . .

Happy Sailing,

David

Hey everyone. The hiking straps are now on. A local auto upholstry place did it for me in about fifteen minutes and only charged me 20 bucks. Now I'm ready to give them some use. I ended up just running them flat accross the tramp, the upholstry guy talked me out of the twist and he connected them to their old sewing points. Thanks for everyone's advice.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909