replacement tramp

I am looking at a Hobie 16 that will need a new tramp, has anyone checked into having one made from a trampoline manufacturer ? A hobie tramp is about $300+, a tramp. company can make a 6x6 for less than $100. I would have to be creative on attaching it to the front & rear crossmembers because of the travelers. The tramp company can not put the ends like the orginal one has, just loops.

I have owned three Hobies so far. My first, an '86 H16 that had the original tramp (white vinyl). I sold that boat about three years ago and teh tramp still hasn't been replced. So, it's at least 20 years old and going strong. My second and current is the '82 H18 which I just replaced the original tramp on this season. This comes to 24 years. My third which I traded for wings was an early '70's H14 with one of the black mesh tramps that was only about 6 years old. If I had kept the boat I would have replaced the tramp since the black one was falling apart.

The point is, $300 is not that much if you look at the cost over the life of the product. I would say get the Hobie tramp. IFyou assume $400 over 20 years... that's $20 per year for a tramp. Not bad. If you use a cheaper tramp and replace it 3 or 4 times in the timeframe, it costs the same and you will not have as good of a tramp.

Just my opinion.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO