Tampolines.....

A couple of questions about tramps for a H16. Does anyone have an opinion one way or the other regarding the aftermarket tramps compared to the heat welded OEM tramps? Also, is it a good idea to unlace a (potentially) original 24 year old tramp that is still pretty tight, but could use some new lines, or should I just wait until the tramp needs to be replaced and take care of everything at the same time? Thanks! -Matt

I can't comment on the quality of the aftermarket tramps (since I almost exclusively race, I have to be class legal = Hobie Tramps).

The heat welded OEM tramps are damn near bullet-proof, though. Mine's 7 years old and looks almost new, except for the brass grommets have turned brown. Then again, I sail in fresh water for the most part and the boat is garaged year-round.

It won't hurt to replace the lacing on a 24 year-old tramp.

heat welded seems to last longer than stitched...
Vinyl vs. mesh sees to be personal preference...
vinyl seems to protect better from water splashing from below while mesh drains the puddles better. Raw nees you can get on both.
My heat welded vinyl style tramp made it for 20 years. Replacing the rope on an aged tramp should not cause trouble. Check for squareness while you are at it re-lacing the tramp. Patrick

The after market tramps are excellent quality, albeit not class legal, if you want to race in Hobie regattas. Open regattas would make no difference.
The prices are radically different. The after market price is $275, see
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmpnrogpg0

The Hobie tramps start at $294 and are as high as $378. See http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmmnnmjpq8

Then there is the bias cut tramp.., ONE-PIECE BIAS-CUT TRAMPS: H-14, One-piece tramps provide a smooth, uncomplicated deck. See http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmoniqfrg4

For the best tramps available, we represent Sunrise, who is the leader in tramps. If you use Teflon stitching, they will just about last forever. See
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jnkncrpng0

Hope this helps.
Rick

Actually, Rick $295 is your cheapest listing on a Hobie 16 trampoline on that link.

Reading the costs on the Sunrise link the Hobie Factory H16 Tramp is actually $5.20 less than the cheapest one shown there and $71 bucks less than their one designed to last.

On the Hobie 14, for mesh materials it is a $21 difference on comparison below.

From Catsailor listings:

syp-h-14bks Black Mesh, Standard Thread $295.00
syp-h-14bkt Black Mesh, Teflon Thread $337.00
syp-h-14bus Blue Mesh, Standard Thread $315.00
syp-h-14but Blue Mesh, Teflon Thread $357.00

So...

A Hobie Factory Built Mesh tramp for a Hobie 14 is $378.00 (you can choose black, grey or turquoise vinyl mesh)

Compared to an after market tramp with black or stock blue color AND the required Teflon thread to help it last 5 years? $357.00

$21 bucks less then? Not so radical really.

And...

You can get a factory built white vinyl tramp for $294.00 Thats a buck less than the after market one with the base material and base thread.

The factory tramp is actually $1 less!

Its Class Legal, you get a nice choice of mesh colors if you want... and they don't chew up your knees like the after market materials do. Plus! They will likely last much, much longer than the stitched ones... no structural stitching.

Yeah, I think that I am going to go with a factory trampoline. The longevity seems to be incredible. Why are the white trampolines so much cheaper than the black or blue trampolines? The trampline that is on the boat is red... could it be original to a 1981 boat? One last thing... my tramp has no holes or tears, but looks weathered and is a little rough on the knees. Is there any way to spruce it up for the rest of the summer? Thanks! -Matt

Red was likely original from back then.

I don't know of anything to fix up really old vinyl. Maybe a vinyl spray? Huh...

I had lowered the white tramps price several years ago to allow racers to get a class approved part at a competetive price.