Can I Fix Sun Damage on Hobie Mesh Tramp

Berf

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 11, 2006

Last visit: Sep 15, 2008

Posts: 3
Posted: Sep 08, 2008 - 02:44 PM

Hello, I recently bought an old Hobie mech tramp for my 18. It's in fine shape but it does have some sun damage.

My question is, can I fix this? I was thinking of dyeing it with black dye, or painting it with black laytex or something.

Any ideas, or am I going to ruin it if I try anything.
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Sep 08, 2008 - 03:13 PM

if it has UV damage... make sure it will not fail (rip). you do NOT want it ripping on you while you are stepping the mast. Imagine falling through it, breaking your legs on the trailor below....

i bet $400 for a new tramp is much less than a trip to the ER, casting, months in crutches, rehab and pain and suffering.

http://www.multihullnets.com/
lawrencer2003

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 05, 2004

Last visit: Oct 19, 2015

Posts: 327
Posted: Sep 08, 2008 - 11:23 PM

Mesh tramps once sun damaged like you describe are soon history due to an appendage or two ripping through at a most inconvenient time. (Like a day with lots of guests all of whom want a ride.) Some things are better purchased new,
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Sep 09, 2008 - 09:22 AM

The guy who owned my current boat (2 owners ago) had a "spent" tramp and used it anyway. He took his family out on the boat after it was in a lot, in the sun for 2 years. When he tried to lower the centerboards... the hornets that had made a home in the centerboard wells attacked him and his family. As they scrambled around the boat, they all fell through the tramp... LUCKY they were in shallow waters.

The guy sold the boat 20 minutes later on the beach to an onlooker (whom I bought the boat from).

This is a "best case" scenario for a tramp failure... I would equate it to your floor boards in your car falling out as you drive down the highway
Berf

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 11, 2006

Last visit: Sep 15, 2008

Posts: 3
Posted: Sep 09, 2008 - 01:10 PM

Well, I hope it's not that weak. I messed with it and it seems to be in decent shape, just some sun damage. I tried sticking my fingers through it.

In any event, I guess there isn't a way to get it back to black?
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Sep 09, 2008 - 02:54 PM

if it is faded.. it is UV degraded.
Try jumping up and down on it... wear ice skates.... see if it will rip!