I like a tight tramp, maybe a carry over from my H16 days. To help with tensioning, I added a gromet kit which doubles the number of gromets that run down the middle. I run two lacings down the center (the original and the second using the new set of gromets). I tighten one then the other a couple to three times. That way you progressively make the tramp tighter and don't even need gloves to do it. I insert my paddle between the set of lacings (from the stern below the tramp) to keep the main and jib sheets on the tramp.