Has anyone ever replaced their tramp w/ a non Hobie made tramp? There is a sail making store in my area that makes tramps specefically for Waves that is made of a mesh non heat sealed poly prop which I am told (by them) is stronger than the Hobie material of textaline. The price difference is about $130.00 more for the Hobie tramp. I'll pay the extra money if the Hobie tramp is the better value.

What is the best cleaning agent to use to clean dirty hulls that have been sitting uncovered throughout the winter?

We sell several trampolines for Waves and all other cats on this site.
Look at http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=154
and
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=483

The material generally holds up well, but the thread is usually the downfall.
Good luck,
Rick

I don't think there is a better trampoline (or material) than what Hobie Cat makes. The heat welded seams are a huge plus. The structural seams of all other stitched trampolines are their downfall. The material is not called "textaline" so I don't know what they were trying to compare to. I am quite surprised to hear that a Hobie Wave trampoline actually needs to be replaced. Damaged in some way?

What do you mean, Matt? All trampolines eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. They sure don't last forever. We have had to replace at least three Wave tramps -- if we didn't, somebody would fall through. Most get worn spots that eventually tear open. And one of ours the bead that threads into the side track came apart, so there is a long section that is not in the track any more.

I don't think it is necessarily because one trampoline is better than another -- just that wear and tear and sun and sea will eventually take their toll.

Mary,

It was just that so many of the trampolines seem to last so long. You can find really old Hobies with good tramps. Certainly heavy use accelerates the wear. I guess the Wave really has been around awhile now too. I forget how fast time flys!

I replaced my 2005 Classic tramp with an after-market, lace up tramp. It was very easy to do, and seems much stiffer, but the proof will come when I get back into sailing this spring and get to try it out. As for cleaning the hulls, my Hobie dealer recommended a cleaner/wax made by Sea Power. He uses it and says it works.

Hey Matt,

The waves a 1999 and it has always been sitting on the beach in the south Florida sun so it's just real weathered and coming at apart where it enters the track.

Thanks,

Joe