Hobie Cat Forums

What tramp is the best choice, mesh or vinyl??

Vinyl. WAY better.

Mesh is Best. It allows sand and dirt to escape. I always feel like I am on sandpaper with the Vinyl tramp.


Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
info@sunjammers.com
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

From a maintanance standpoint, I quess that mesh is better for shedding all that excess dirt and sand, but if that stuff can fall threw, air can get threw as well. With vinyl, the wind can get threw and there for, less turbulance and drag. I know I am splitting hairs, but I just have a thing for vinyl.

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I don't know about the drag ,etc, but the mesh tramps seem to hold up better to sunlight degradation. My boats mostly live outside, and the mesh seems to hold up better

If anyone would like to trade I have a vinyl tramp in great shape,looking for a mesh tramp

I have found that vinyl tramps are better when the water is below about 70 degress because they keep you drier and the water does not splash up into your face nearly as much as with a mesh tramp. I have also found that sailing in areas where the water and or air temperature are usually very warm such as Florida a mesh tramp is better because it helps to cool you off. I have also found that wearing kneepads if you are crewing on a boat with a vinyl tramp is a good idea or else your knees become very sore by the end of the regatta.

Your supposed to be on your feet not your knees, You can move faster on you feet than rolling around on your feet. However, I can say what were supposed to do but do I ever do it...No way


Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com<------new site!
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer
Division 15 Chairman
Panama City Beach, FL
brad@sunjammers.com
850-235-2281

would you double groumet a mesh tramp??

I am thinking about the mesh vs. vinyl topic as well....
From reading some of the old posts I have learned that the stiffness of Hobie 16's depends a lot on how well the tramp is tensioned. From sailing some rental hobies with mesh tramps I remember that it would be a lot more difficult to creat the same frame tension as compared to a vinyl tramp. Could some one post some thoughts on that aspect? At the same time I would be interested in some experiences with the various types of mesh tramps (one pice bias cut, three pice, ...)

Thanks, Patrick

I think you can get the Mesh tighter than the vinyl we have out side bars bowing in with the mesh tramps! The only reason I think vinyl might be better is if the water was cold.


Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer
brad@sunjammers.com
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

Mesh definately stays cleaner, and I think I would rather be on a mesh tramp when it's blowing over 25 knots and tacking becomes a lets-not-get-blown-over-backwards issue...assuming of course that some wind does go through it. (In that situation I'm not really paying attention to things like whether or not the wind is blowing through...!)

I would doubt that vinyl keeps the crew much dryer anyway...perhaps the skipper...

I have a 14 T with vinyl and a 16 with a mesh tramp. The vinyl tramp is no doubt stronger than mesh, but it’s like crawling around on a giant piece of sand paper at times. It can really grind up your knees during a long day of sailing. I think the mesh tramp is more comfortable and is plenty strong. Haven’t noticed any difference as far as the pros and cons of wind though……

So the question is still out there, Would you double gromet the center of a mesh tramp??

If you purchase a new mesh tramp I believe it already has double grommets for you! I could not see putting anymore grommets in the tramp....but then again I have been know to be wrong before too.


Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
info@sunjammers.com
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL