I've got a 2002 Hobie Getaway. One of the tramp halfs has several small (1 inch)rips right behind the grommets that run down the middle of the tramp used to attach to the other tramp half.

I think these rips showed up after I tightened my tramp. I simply used my hands to tighten the tramp and no tools. I pulled somewhat hard but not excessively. Are the rips due to the tramp being too tight? What should I do?

Would a sewn in patch last or do I need a new tramp.

Thank you very much.

That tramp is either UV damaged (been in the sun for four years?), misused in some way (like children jumping on it?) or it's just plain not made well.

I expect the life of the trampoline isn't for long, but yes, you can patch it. Don't expect much out of the tramp, though...

sea ya
tami

I have never seen rips behind the grommets. On all of our tramps, rips only seem to occur in the high traffic areas -- where skipper and/or crew are going back and forth during tacks and jibes. Starts out as a worn area and eventually rips.

I can't imagine that it would be due to being too tight. Most people we know use mechanical advantage of some sort to get their tramps as tight as possible.

Maybe Matt Miller will know something about this.

I have seen tramps get as old as 70, 80 and even 90. At this point they were still trying to tighten up. If your tramp is too loose, you probably should just go ahead and look for a new tramp. Just my 2 cents.

Interesting download but I couldn't quite work out what type of boat it was.

I agree with UV or badly made. The material itself should remain bullet proof. It is usually stitching that flags in UV. Have a stronger support strap sewn in and new grommets.
If you leave the boat outside have a tramp cover made. Even cheep plastic tarps from KMart of whatever will do. Shock cord tied in knots through grommets and plastic hooks to affix to boat makes for fast cover/uncover.
I keep a couple of old Windrushes for mates who visit and don't have a lot of skills. Attachment is of the tramp and jib covers I had made.
Advertising material has a half life of 20,000 years and costs little. Zip in jib sock and grommet for main haliad pin make for easy raising.
Mast up H16s would love this with the lip but most boats have points where the hooks work.

Cheers

Well. she sure looks like a tramp! : )

My 2002 Getaway has been uncovered during the summer (June-Sept) since it was bought. Could that have caused enough UV damage for it to be ripping behind the middle grommets or is it probably something else?

The cloth will not be badly affected by uv in that time. Even stitching would usualy take longer than that. look for problems with grommets themselves or that the heavy reinforcing tape has not been applied well. Perhaps the gromets are being dragged on an agle and creating the start of a tear.... once started the tear can only get worse.
You would have to be a seriously booty fellow to have created the problem with strength!