Tramp Lacing ? AKA "OW My Freakin' Hands are killing me!"

So, yea, I'm new. Getting great info from this forum and LOTS of great ideas for the next project. Picked up an H16 and I just got done installing a different tramp. The replacement it came with was a spare, is old but still looks solid. I climbed around on it after I got done lacing it back up and I didn't go thru at 230lbs so I guess I can get a season or two out of it.

Anyway, I understand it needs to be as tight as possible but I'll be using it for recreational hacking around so how tight is tight? Any tools or tricks to pull the lacing?

About how much deflection should I see in it at any point and with what pressure or is that over thinking?

I did use the main sheet block trick to pull the sides in as much as I could and that seemed to help alot when I let it go.

Did I mention my hands are throbbing?

_________________
'81 H16 yellow hulls

I use two pair of pliers: first is a cheapie needle-nose, second is a smaller vice grip. I will also use the Hobie tool, (aluminum, ask your Dealer), and a home made tightener made of two 3" lag bolts, 2 1/2" apart, screwed into a 2" x 4" offcut about a foot long.

Thread the line fairly loosely, snug up by hand, then go to work. Working grommet by grommet, grab with with vice grip and PULL, then with your free hand, jam the needle part of the needle nose into the grommet hole so the line does not budge, and move onto the next hole. Keep the line tight and repeat the process.

The Hobie tool and the home made tool allow one to 'twist' the line, then pull on the free end so as to snug it even tighter.

Just think of the joy of doing this at least twice during the season....but do remember, it's what holds your Hobie together.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I use a simpler method, get 3 1x1 by 1' pieces of wood, shave em down into dowels, and use them to jam the line in the tramp holes. Pull tight with gloved hands, and keep leapfrogging them until your done. It's easy and gets it done in no time. You want it snug, at least 1" of side rail bend in the middle between both pylons. Good luck!

_________________
Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

The dowels work perfect for me as well. Have done it that way for years. Pliers and especially vice grips can damage the line.

_________________
UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 H16 89112