I'm trying to get my land lubbing H16 back into sailing shape after many "parked" years. Was looking at the new (to me) tramp options and like the mesh mainly due to expectations of it's benefits in hot weather sailing and "perhaps" staying cleaner than the solid style when stored uncovered.
I have an opportunity to buy a new black mesh tramp for $300 bucks.
Would like to hear opinions and experience with:
a) wear, tear, and cleaning of mesh vs solid tramps,
b) UV resistance of the mesh vs the solid,
c) overall boat tautness with the mesh vs the solid,
d) tear resistance of one material vs the other,
e) the choice of black on a light blue hulled boat
(ie. will it get or "seem" hotter than the other mesh colors)
It's hard to tell what color would look best from the catalog pictures but the opportunity to buy this black one for $300 "seems" like something I shouldn't pass up. ?????
Thanks a bunch in advance for any and all replies! Hope to get back into the Hobie way soon.
Let's see if I can help you out. Most boats you see now days have the mesh tramps. They wear quite will and are quite durable. Obviously keeping it covered and out of the sun can extend an lifetime of a tramp be it mesh or vinyl. One thing about mesh is, when flying a hull it will let wind pass through it more freely, but on the other hand, during those rough "wavey" days the vinyl will keep you more dry. About the price, you can do better. Being that you have light blue hulls, ever thought of a blue tramp. I might be able to help you out there. They do almost as good as the black. You pretty much can not tell the difference between. Between the vinyl and the mesh, the black, I would think would get a little hotter than vinyl just because of the nature of black "attracting heat". But a little water can cool things off. Price, 300 is a little on the high side. Hope I helped you out.
Jonathan Grant
Mesa, AZ
Prindle 19 (292)
Prindle 16 (2646)
Catapult Tramps
my opinions are the black mesh ones are less taut than vinyl, no they dont get hot in the summer, yes they are easier to keep clean, they are wetter but drain faster. i imagine righting would be easier with mesh. my biggest problem with mesh is 'carpet burn' when i scoot around on my knees mainly while racing. black would look great on a blue boat. i used to have vinyl, now i have black mesh. i would probably go to vinyl again next time (white for my yellow boat) because of extra firmness and no burns but both have advantages.
Remember that if you plan on going class racing the tramp can only come from Hobie to be class-legal.
The mesh are definatley nice but on some lower to the water boats it is extremely annoying getting splashed from underneath. That is the one reason I went with a white viynal tramp on my 18... besides the $100 difference.
The 16 I raced at youth nationals had some large holes in the black mesh tramp. I have seen several black mesh tramps with the same problem. A dealer told me they were having a problem with the black mesh's durability.. It may have been fixed by now... who knows.
-Todd