Hello all,,

Does anyone have any experience in making a “mesh” trampoline ?

I am thinking of making a tramp for my 6.0 myself, the reason is that if I buy a new one It will cost me a fortune together with the modifications “Spi bag etc etc” I have in Mind.

All suggestions are welcome.

For starters, you will need access to an industrial duty sewing machine. A typical sewing machine won't be strong enough to do the sewing necessary.

I am currently working on restitching my weathered 6.0 trampoline and fortunately have a friend who just bought an industrial sewing machine (he claims it can actually sew plywood together). I'm looking for ideas on trampline storage - anyone have any? (I think I'll start another thread on the matter).

Hi Jake Thanks for the reply,
A industrial machine is easy to buy on the web, I saw a few for only a few Dollars.

PS. what do you mean with storage ?
Protection during the summer or winter ?

you mentioned adding a spinnaker bag to the trampoline. I mean storage like that. I want to sew in some pouches and places to store typical items like water bottles emergency gear, etc. I want a place to securely put a couple of water bottles, paddle, and two trapeze harnesses (for days buoy racing when the wind dies).

If you have a tramp that does not have lacing down the middle, I think the best (and easiest) idea is a fairly deep flap all the way across the front of the tramp (open edge facing aft), with the front and side edges sewn to the tramp. As far as whether you want the thing to be totally open all the way across the back or divided into compartments or use velcro or grommets or whatever, that is an individual, creative thing. If you have a mesh tramp but want the stuff in the storage area to be able to be kept relatively dry, you can make the whole flap section, bottom and top, out of a waterproof material.

I like a similar flap, just mesh, not as deep fore and aft, all the way across the tramp at the aft end, but with the open part facing forward. That would be for storage of items that do not need to be kept dry and are not too bulky. And it would be nice to have that aft flap closed with velcro or something so things cannot get washed out of it or washed into it and so you can't trip on it or whatever.

These are just my opinions as a crew who likes a clean deck and the ability to stuff something quickly out of the way, but be able to have it easily accessible.

(If you have lacing down the middle of the tramp, you would have to divide the above into two compartments on each side both on the front and back of the tramp.)

If you want a spinnaker-storage "compartment" sewn onto the tramp, that would be separate from the generic storage compartments, and design and location would be a matter of personal preference.

I HATE tramps with little storage flaps sewn on with the open side facing forward. They are so tight you can barely get anything into them, and when you try to get something out of them, you risk losing it overboard over the front beam.

Hi Mary Ann,
I totally agree with you on the subject " little storage flaps sewn on with the open side facing forward "

This is one of the main reasons that I want to create my own tramp.

You end up stuffing more goods/line's than the little bag can handle, ending up destroying the zipper.

Rob,
go to the yahoo beachcat group or the TheBeachcats.com and contact Tami Shelton (i think she may have a web page also). She is an experienced sailor (18 square) and she can sew. Several postings I've seen recomend her highly. Give her a rough idea of what you are looking for and she will probably make it better than you can imagine.
nt

Rob,
I've been sailing since the late 70's and never bought a tramp, (in fact making your own sails can be a lot of fun too).
Before you go out and buy an industrial sewing machine for your tramp, give your domestic machine a go.
I've made tramps with domestic machines before I got my industrial machine.
Provided you are using chickopee mesh, the weave is much easier to get through than sailcloth , (because it is a fairly open weave and it is not impregnated with resin like sailcloth).

Someone else mentioned they had problems repairing a tramp wih a domestic machine. Repair work is usually much harder, partly because the fabric has aged and partly because it can be impregnated with salt.

Now if you are thinking of doing more work like making or repairing your own sails buy the industrial machine.

Just my 2 cents.
Regards,
Phill

All you guys who keep recommending to try using your home "domestic" sewing machine had better check with the wife first. Rick used my sewing machine a couple of times to try to sew patches on denim pants, and he broke the machine twice (after breaking several needles), and Sears finally said it was no longer repairable. So I haven't had a sewing machine for at least 20 years. I'm afraid to get another one for fear he will try to use it for something.

One of my friends "inherited" his wife's machine after using it to repair a mylar sail. that one repair cost him about $300. now he has his own machine (his wife's slightly used machine) and uses it all the time for sail repairs.

The older, heavier, metal machines will work out well enough. I just read an article in "Good Old Boat" about using old domestic machines with thick marine cloths. He went to a used machine warehouse with material and thread and found ones that worked the best. He ended up with a White brand machine, a big old metal beast.

You can contact Good Old Boat and buy the January/February 2003 issue if they have any left. Heck, if you sign up for the free trial issue you might be able to get it for nothing.

Where do you guys get your mesh material from

So far I only found this supplier in the far east, I don't think they will sell the fabric per inch.
Perhaps an idea for the webshop ?


http://www.theyusco.com.tw/mesh_fabric/mesh_fabric.htm

Hi Rob,
Making your own trampoline is not a big deal. The problem is not the machine but the thread you should use.

A good thread is Dabond 2000(V92) available from Bainbridge. Just do a search, they are on the net.
For the Trampoline material, have a look in the classified adds of a 'Multihulls' Magazine. Someone(for > 10 years now) is selling extra wide trampoline material, good for one piece diagonal cut trampolines.
Bainbridge also sells the same mesh but narrower(Polypropylene **the real mccoy)

Orrrrrr just call your local canvas guru and get a price for the job. I would build one for ~$350-400US , not sure what Nacra is selling them for these days.

Good luck
Marc

I am currently making a trampoline, I am based in the UK so this may not be of great use to most of you but here goes.

I found a great company pointnorth.co.uk, I rang them and explained what I was after.


They reccomended using Trampoline Mesh, (Polypropylene basket weave, UV inhibited monofilament mesh) for the main body, this is then edged with PVC coated fabric (codes TM1 and P16). They also sell the grommets and will hire the tool to fit the grommets.

I approached a local boat cover maker who will stitch the PVC fabric to the trampoline very cheaply especially if you glue the pvc edging in place first which reduces the set up for them.

My trampoline is rather large approx 4m by 2m and cost me under £100 all in.

I haven't used it in anger yet but it all looks OK.

Thanks Grob you just made my day ..........

I found them on the web and I am sure I will be able to in making my own trampoline now.
I will ask them to ship to our office in the UK.

Thanks Grob

John

Seeing as how this was usefull I thought I would attach a photo of the trampoline material and edging. In case it is not what you were expecting.

It is a closer weave than I expected and so may not drain water or spill the wind like a coarser mesh.

As you can see I cut the PVC into 8" wide strips, folded them over the edge of the trampoline once then glued them in place.

All the best

Gareth

Hi Gareth,

Somehow I have the idea that the mesh is grey, is this correct ?
Or is it the lighting ?

Yes its grey, my boat has white hulls and a dark grey carbon fibre tube frame, I thought that colour was a good balance, but there are a number of other colours to choose from, give them a ring or ask them to send the free brochure. I am sorry I can't be more specific but I left the brochure at work.

All the best

Gareth