SeaWorthy wrote:
I have a 2015 TI, and I have the tramps. In reference to a rigid system, when I release the diagonal brace that is supported by the shear pin, the Aka/Ama/Tramp is still a rigid system in itself. With my TI on the trailer I just now extended the Ama, installed the Tramp, and released the diagonal brace. It appears that it would take a lot of force to collapse the Ama, to the point that it most likely would cause other damage in the case of a collision. I'm not so sure in my case since I always use my Tramps that I don't just replace the shear pin with a stainless steel one? Without doubt the combination of Tramps and shear pin support is far stronger than just a shear pin alone for support. We launch our TI at a boat ramp with the front seat passenger climbing onto the tramp from the front to enter the front seat, because of this keeper lines are in the way, so I prefer not to have them. I would like to hear what others have to say. I'm not sure if this makes a case for or against the use of Tramps?
The real danger in replacing the nylon shear pin with a metal one is its location, midway along the aka. It therefore follows that in the event of collision on the end of the ama, force will be DOUBLED at the location of the shearpin. If the pin can't breask, the aka will...
Replacing the nylon shearpin with a steel one should only be done by owners who are confident that they do not expect to hit anything.
Your trampoline will do a great job in preventing instant collapse of the amas, and also having the standard nylon in place is a good backup. If you don't have tramps, adding keepout lines offer lots of benefits for little outlay