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Akas pop out with people on the tramps?
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Author:  Moondancer [ Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:52 am ]
Post subject:  Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

Hi, Is this common?

Went out for our third day on the new TI, there were 4 of us on the boat in Sandy Hook Bay (previous 2 rides were on a reservoir). We seemed to be chugging along okay with 2 in the boat and 2 on the tramps, except for the tramps seeming constant loosening up. It does seem that the forward tramp connection tends to slide outboard--is the small inner loop supposed to be on the inboard side of the connection, or on the aka itself? (The back portion of the tramp, I have the first inboard clamp on the boat side of the connection. The front sleeve seems to be too tight to slide over the hump of that hinge to be on the boat crossbar, should I force it?) So we were riding along and suddenly the starboard rear aka popped out of the crossbar and dumped rider 1 into the water. We tried to pop it back in, but the twist of the trampoline made it impossible to align it straight enough to slide in, and then, the port aka popped out too, dumping rider #2. Both people, by the way, are no more than around 165 or less pounds, and I understand the tramps are rated for 200lb max?

Well, at that point, we pulled in the sail and just got everyone on the boat (one in the back seat with me, one on the hull in front of the mast) and peddled to the beach to put it all back together, and decided 2 people would walk back to the marina while 2 of us would sail back in. As we entered the marina the starboard aka popped again and a few minutes later the port one did also.

I can't say whether the alas were properly seated since we got the boat. It was all assembled when I picked it up, and I must say it wasn't something I thought to check specifically. (Ya, now I will!) And I can't say if anyone did anything, leaned on something, that would have popped the locks, altho with them having a lock on both sides of the tube I'd think that would be hard to do. But I do see that the trampolines don't seem to have much that keeps them from sliding outboard—just the rear first clip lock being inboard of the aka. Am I missing something? I haven't been able to find any pix that give a completely clear view of the tramp installation. Has anyone come up with a hack to keep the back connections from loosening up? I saw a mention on the board of using a line from one aka to the other to keep them from pulling completely free of the crossbars—is this a common occurrence? And is it really not recommended to put 2 adults on the tramps?

Thanks for you help!

Author:  dougc405 [ Sun Jul 20, 2014 12:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

We had a front aka pop out of the crossbar on our first sail. Definitely a moment of panic. Now I check then carefully before setting out. The locking mechanism doesn't seem to be foolproof. I can't answer your question about tramps because I don't have them.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

Author:  Lumos [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

Hi,

I have a new 2014 TI with Tramps and have sailed it over 12 times, many hours, and have not experienced your issue. I assume you are using Hobie brand TI tramps and not a knockoff. If so, it sounds like you probably have the tramps installed incorrectly. The front of each tramp slides over the front AKA with the cutout on the inboard side (closest to the boat). The pocket on the tramp should be on the top side of the tramp (there is a left tramp and a right tramp, this is how you can tell). The rear of the tramp attaches to the rear CROSSBAR and AKA with straps/clips.

When fully rigged, the inboard side of the tramp (closest to the boat) is secured to the CROSSBARS (front and rear) while the rest is secured to the AKA. The cutout on the front of the tramp should slide over the AKA hinge so the tramp is actually on the CROSSBAR with the AKA hinge visible through the cutout. You may have to rotate the tramp while sliding it over the AKA hinge to get it to fit. Once over the hinge, it fits perfectly.

Once the front of the tramp is positioned properly, I like to start with the center, rear strap then connect the rest. The inboard (closest to the boat) rear strap is strapped around the CROSSBAR on the inboard side of the AKA hinge. All other straps are on the AKA itself. Then tighten all straps as tight as possible, one at a time, then go through them again until you can't tighten them any more.

The last step is to stretch that little bungee loop on the front around the pin that holds the AMA bungee.

This setup will keep your tramps secure and should actually keep the AKAS attached to the CROSSBARS.

When I am ready to fold in the AMA/AKAs, I unclip the tramp, roll it up (secured using the bungees attached to the bottom), and slide the front cutout off the CROSSBAR, outboard, so the tramp is only rolled around the AKA. Once this is done, you can fold the AMA/AKA's and secure them to the hull. I have never had to remove the tramps from the front AKA since I installed them.

The AKA clips in the crossbars have worked fine and only come undone when I squeeze the buttons. I could see the potential for the AKAs pop out, however, if you apply enough force. You may have potentially damaged the clips when putting a load on an improperly attached tramp. You can check this easily by putting the AKA in the crossbar and pulling on it to ensure it is secure. Is should not pop out easily. (As an aside, I even have one AKA clip in the crossbar that is damaged. It only holds the AKA in with half of the clip but I've still never had it pull out. I need to figure out how to replace that clip. It's not as easy as you'd think.)

There is a good image of a grey tramp installed correctly: http://binksmarine.com.au/store/hobie/k ... ure-island

Let me know if this makes sense!

Author:  mmiller [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

It seems that with tramps pulled tight, the akas want to ride up and out of their holes in the amas. This is really and issue when adding weight to the tramps too. Try not to pull the straps too tight and keep in mind the weight limits for the trampolines: 200 lbs.

Author:  P14WD [ Thu Jul 24, 2014 3:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

Hi Moondancer,

Yes the forward edge of the tramp needs to be pushed over the knuckle so that it sits like shown in the photo below.
That way it can't slip.
I do the same as Lumos when packing up. Releasing the aft buckles, slipping the forward edge of the tramp outboard of the knuckle and the rolling the tramp around the aka, at which point I can fold the ama back towards the main hull.

I also had problems with the akas coming part way out of the holes in the amas - also in my brand new TI. As you will see in the video.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laMpF6IT4G0[/youtube]
I found that my bungees that attach the AMA to the AKA were too loose. This actually resulted in both AMAs being damaged (holed) and were replaced under warranty. See this link: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=51010#p233183

Image

Author:  Moondancer [ Sat Jul 26, 2014 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

Thanks Lumos, that is a wonderfully clear explanation and the picture helps too. I'll have them on proper next time (tomorrow!) And P14WD also, great pix and thank you. MMiller, the weight is under 200 on each, I'll see how that works now that I'll have the tramps seated properly.

Thank you all!

Author:  FraznDaf [ Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Akas pop out with people on the tramps?

Another tip…. In choppy water I can have the AMA's yo yoing on the bungees so I took lawn trimmer/weed wacker string
and tied the AMA's up to the tube and also tied the crossbar to the cross brace on the TI.

I have not had any probs past 2 years with the crossbars popping out near the cross brace on the hull nor the AMA's flopping around.
I have used paracord also instead of weed wacker string…. Good Luck!

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