Tight is right, but a 1 inch bend seems a little over the top. I agree with Patrick. Tight without ripping out the grommets seems to be a good rule of thumb. Tight enough so that both hulls come the same distance off the ground equally when you lift only one side is perfect. The overall objective is to have both hulls operate as though they were one unit, not two, for best performance.
If your tramp doesn't have double-grommets, center and rear, I don't think you can get the tramp tight enough no matter how hard you try. (Bonus advantage of double grommets: criss-cross laces help keep sheets onboard because there is less space for them to escape through the tramp.)
A simple method of getting a tight “tramp” (besides cheap booze
) is the tool on this page
http://www.murrays.com/archive/34-35.pdf OR use two vise-grips*, sailing gloves, and a reasonably strong arm.
Instructions: First soak the line you are going to use. (The line stretches when wet and it will get wet when sailing-surprise!!). Have a beer. A friend can help so make sure he/she has a beer too. Now to the serious stuff-
>Attach line to frame (or pad-eye) and run DOWN through first grommet and UP through the second grommet.
>Pull the excess line by hand as snug as possible. Pull the line BACK TOWARD the first grommet. Pulling at an angle gives you leverage so don’t pull straight up out of the hole.
>Clamp one vise-grip onto the line as close to the top of the second grommet as possible. This keeps the excess line above the hole.
>
The next step is almost one move: holding the vice grip clamped to the line, YANK the line tight (remember – at an angle towards the first grommet) and quickly clip the second vise-grip below the jaws of the first. This will lock the line tightly in place against the grommet. Actually shove the second vise-grip tightly below the jaws of the first vise-grip.
>Remove the first vise-grip, lace line through the next TWO grommets and repeat the procedure. You will always be working above the trampoline where your beer is. As you go along, friction and leverage work more and more in your favor to keep the line tight.
Hint: Have about 4 feet more line than you think you'll need. Cut off the excess when done
* If you are not “Tim the Tool Man” you might not know that there is only one true Vise Grip made by Irwin. This project goes best with a model 7R (flat square jaw) for yanking and a model 7CR (curved narrow jaw) to lock the line in place.
Have fun, drink responsibly, sail hard -
-Stephen