I can't find alluminum or SS grommets anywhere. Will brass grommets work OK on a trampoline? I sail in salt water.

-Rob V.
Panama City
Nacra 5.2

I used brass on my H14 Tramp. Seemed to hold up fine. I thought my H17 tramp had brass...?

Sailrite used to sell SS grommets in smaller sizes, they probably still do. You need some special equipment to install larger SS grommets.
Brass will do nicely in a trampoline, I had a homebuildt one for several years on an old Tornado (saltwater sailed, north sea). For sails, brass grommets are not strong enough for halyards, downhauls etc.
If you decide to go for brass grommets, and install them with the tool and a hammer, take care to fill them with cloth and dont overdo it when you use the hammer. You will get a sharp edge on the inside, where the lacing runs, if you do.

Thanks for the information. That was the news I was hoping to hear. I can get brass pretty easily (cheaply). I'll be sure not to go overboard with the hammer.

-Rob V.
Panama City
Nacra 5.2

Rob,

I bought the "cheap" brass grommet set of fifty, with tool, for something ridiculously low like $3.99 last fall when cutting up a "cheap" tarp for a winter cover. Boy did I get what I paid for! I'm going to double the grommets on the old 16 tramp but I'm seriously considering purchasing grommets from Hobie. Don't know if it was the tool or the grommets, but sure was winky, fine for a cover but not a tramp.

Rolf,
When I first started making my own sails back in the 80s. I only had brass eyelets.

As you say, they are not strong enough by themselves.
So I cut a very short length of stainless tube whose OD just fitted the ID of the eyelet. I then used the rounded head of the tool I put the eyelet in with to turn the edges over to make a stainless insert for the brass eyelet and that worked fine. So for anyone who is making a sail and can only source brass it may be an option.

Regards,
Phill

www.mcmaster.com
is an answer:-)

Aluminum, SS, load rated grommets and tools to cut holes and set grommets. And thousands other tools, materials, glues and fabrics. Excelent service...

Thanks Phill, will have to try that next time.
I have some chromed nickle grommets with spurs in the toolbox. They should do nicely as testbeds.

Be sure you get real brass grommets, not the el-cheapo brass plated(painted?) ones that seem to be everywhere these days.

Mike.