Best Hobie Tramp Material Vinyl/Polypropylene Mesh?

I need to purchase a new tramp for my H17. I just looked on ebay and found lots of different companies selling the tramps. I guess the options for materials are vinyl or polypropylene mesh. The polypropylene mesh is offered in 7.6 or 8 oz. The thread can be upgraded to Tenara for $50.

Years ago, I sailed on a Hobie with a single piece (I think) black mesh tramp. The tramp had too much flex in the center with your weight on it and collected a small amount of water. I wouldn't want anything like this!

I will be sailing the boat in south Texas in salt water with lots of wind and sun. I'm guessing the black mesh would be very hot and maybe some of the others colors too. The extra bags to hold lines and sheets, look like good options.

All comments about the different material, material weight, colors, bags would be a great help! Anyone care to recommend a company? Both good and bad company comments can be emailed directly to me at [email protected].

Thanks,
Bob

We no longer do one piece tramps for the 17. We do the 3 pc only.

Hobie Vinyl heat-welded tramps are by far the highest quality and most durable. Other brand tramps use a black mesh poly which has to be stitched and that has a weak point due to the stitch holes and the threads. We offer black and turquoise mesh vinyl as well as solid white vinyl (which sells for $416 through your Hobie dealer) all in stock.

We currently show several other colors available (discontinued, but in stock) Blue, Grey and Turquoise.

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

I've had boats with black mesh tramps for 20 years. They don't get hot in the sun, probably because of the airflow through them. They do get warm, but not uncomfortably so. Not like the black-anodized aluminum. That'll burn your hand.