Tramp pre-bend before lacing

I have read several posts about pre-bending the tramp which seems like a really great idea. I was just curious if this method is acceptable for older boats as well? I would assume that it would be but I figured I would ask before I did it on my 83'. I remember last season my boat had quite a bit of slop, I could raise one hull maybe 2-3 inches before the other hull lifted.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Short answer yes, but don't over do it:

sounds like there may be something else other than the tramp. Make sure the corner castings are tight on the pylons, they may need shimming

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Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Thanks. I figured the age wouldn't really matter too much but I figured I would ask. I'll look into the slop issue once I get my tramp back on next week. If both hulls are still not working tightly I'll order some shims. I suspect I can just order them from a dealer? Or should I try the old beer can route first?

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

A six pack should do the trick!

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Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Doesn't it always

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Hi,

I just finished Epoxying the frame together and installing a new tramp on my 82' hobie. When I installed the tramp, I prebent the rails about a half inch each with my mainsheet system and laced her up like that. By the time I was finished lacing my tramp, the line I used to prebend the rails was loose. Now just sitting there my hobie has about 1" bend in on both the port and starboard frame rails and the tramp is as tight as a drum. I used the hobie double grommet kit on the tramp to ensure that I wouldn't rip the eyelets out when I did this. It seems to have been a good investment. Anyway, the main thing i'd be concerned about if you are going to do this on your 83' is if the tramp is 24 years old it might be a little brittle and not be able to take that much stress. I'm confident that if I had tried this with my 25 year old tramp I would have ripped it in two. Just some food for thought.

Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to Brad @ sunjammers for the help he gave me with my winter project. Cheers!!!


Cory

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82 named SeaBass

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Misfit, I think you may have made a good point. I'm planning on putting my tramp back on today, hopefully sailing tommorow. I may do just a little prebending, but not much. My tramp is as old as the boat as far as I can tell . On one side there is some serious fading and some of the fibers are showing through the vinyl leaving some fuzzy stuff on the tramp which worries me a bit . I think I'll probably just sail her til it fails I'm gonna be very cautious when I'm putting it back on. I really hope I don't have to scrounge for the cost of a new tramp, I'd definately want to go Hobie vs. aftermarket. Wish me luck.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Abbman,
I too have an '83 hobie that I took the old tramp off of last year. I am in the process of putting it back on upside down. It sounds like my tramp is in the same condition as yours. Fuzzy and really faded. The underside was much less faded, but I worry alittle about how slick it will be. I have gotten it really tight across the beam, but it still has wrinkles along the outer edge fore and aft. I used the prebent beam method to do the center lacing, but am now stymied about what or how to get the back lacing tight. Any ideas out there for that back lacing? Thanks

When I did mine I just used two vice grips. I would get it tight vice it off, and then retighten them, it seems like with every round they got a little tighgter.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909