Just bought a H16 a couple of months ago and now that winter has arrived it's time to overhaul the boat.

One item that was missing are the two hiking straps on the tramp. Can anyone tell me what the suggested length of strapping one should allow for between the stitch points to get your feet in and out without too much difficulty?

Thanks in advance.

Pitch_poled

The replacement tramp for my H16 has the stitches 22 inches apart. That would be four stitch points resulting in three hiking locations. The strap has a 180 degree twist between each stitch point supposedly so you can more easily slip your foot under the strap.
Greg
H14,H16

You should be able to use the same spot where the straps were sewn on originally. I have done the repair before and seat belt material works well. I have also used life jacket straps that I found at West Marine. I found that if you put a twist in the straps, you can slip your feet under them much easier. Use Nylon straps, not cotton!

Another trick I did was to install grommets in the tramp where the lacing was attached before. Then, I ran a line through the grommets and never had to worry about replacing the straps. That was a $2.00 fix compared to a $40+ fix getting an upholstery shop to sew the straps back on. I didn't even have to take the tramp off the boat! You can also slip some material like a hose over the line to make it easier on your shins and feet.

Thanks for the replies, however what I really need to know is what is the length of hiking strap material between the stitch points? For example, if the distance between stitch points is indeed 22", then should the strap length be 26", 30", 35"? That is my question.

Good idea on the twist of the strap!!

Pitch Poled

Hello,
I don't think there is all that much slack in between the stiching spots. I would guess it to be not much more than 1/2" or so more than the actual distance.
Jack Hoying
Fort Loramie, Ohio
Prindle 18 #1645
http://www.bright.net/~jmhoying/sailing/prindle.htm

My tramp has about 2 inches of slack betweem stitch points and I'm ready to replace it. I like Dan's idea of using gromments. Adjust to fit.

The seat belt idea is interesting as well as the use if grometts. Are you putting a gromet on the strap and tying it through the gromet in the tramp? Both my straps are gone any while I spend most of the time on the trap, having straps is nice. And paying $150 to repair an old tramp is out of the question.

You can use the grommet to attach the strap to the tramp. This is normally the best way to attach the strap back to the tramp. If you store lifejackets or anything under any part of the strap then I would consider leaving more slack than normal for more storage.

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
850-235-2281
www.sunjammers.com
Authorized Hobie Dealer

I did the strap thing a few times. I installed 3 grommets on each side piece of the tramp where the straps used to be sewn on. The first time, I used a dog leash size nylon strap. I thought it was a little small, so I replaced it with a life jacket one. You will have to get special grommets if you want to use something big like a seat belt piece.

I tied a knot in one end of the strap and passed it up through the grommet at the front of the boat. I then ran it to the grommet in the middle of the boat and down trough it. I tied another knot in it under the boat and passed it back up through the grommet. Then, I ran it down through the rear grommet and tied one more knot under the boat. Pretty easy!

I suppose that you could use the seatbelt piece in the same fashion. You could probably tie it in a knot under the tramp and run it through once, but it proably won't go through the same grommet twice. You could use a larger diameter piece of rope by tying a knot in the end (under the tramp) running it up through the grommet, around the seatbelt strap and back down through the grommet. Finish it off by tying another knot in it. That should work to hold the strap down.

I bought a grommet kit at Home depot. It came with a bunch of grommets, a punch and the setter. Granted, that was a little bit of an investment, but I have used it MANY times and it was a lot cheaper than taking the tramp somewhere to get it fixed.

Dan,

The grommets sold by Home Depot, are they good quality ones or do they have a small wall thickness?

pitch poled

You can order a grommet kit from any Hobie Cat Dealer, They are the same grommets Hobie uses in there tramps. They are very reasonably priced and include everything you need to install them, except the hammer!

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
850-235-2281
www.sunjammers.com
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer

The grommets from Home Depot have been OK--I haven't noticed any differences in quality. I also bought a bunch on eBay!

does anyone have access to a camera and if so could you post a grometted hiking strap? i am very curious. thx

Try this one.

Get some 1" x 1/8th aluminum and cut into strips the length of the strap. Then put 2 pieces together and drill 2 3/16th's holes. Place top strip on the strap and tramp and use a soldering iron to make the holes. Grab a helper and have them hold the bottom strip and poprivet it together. Be sure and rivet it from the top so that it is flush.

While your at it, get some pipe insulation and spinnaker tape. These make a wonderful pad to protect your feet.