I need a trampoline for a Hobie 17. As I understand Hobie has the best trampolines since they are heat welded rather than stiched. They come in vinyl, and mesh. The mesh comes in colors Black, Turquoise, Blue and Teal. The vinyl only comes in White. My question is which one holds up the longest the vinyl or the mesh? And what does the majority of sailors have on their boats is it the vinyl or mesh and why?

Hobiemon, Mesh holds up much better than vinyl. I had mesh on my first 17, and have vinyl on my current boat. If I had the money I'd buy another mesh tramp! With the mesh you get more spray through the tramp, but it also drains away immediately. On the vinyl you can sometimes feel like you're in a wash tub.

Mesh,- no doubt about it!
My first lasted from 1986 until 2003!!!

Mesh absolutely. Just replaced my 2-piece 1989 H17 mesh with a 3 piece. Still life left in the other but what the heck.

Last summer replaced the "slippery when wet" blue vinyl tramp on my son's H14 turbo with mesh. Not only looks great but much better traction when going out on the wire.

Sail fast, Tom G

Ok! it seems like mesh it is. What color is the most popular? Black, Blue, turquoise or teal.

If your sail has colors in it, you might want to try to match the tramp to one of those -- so you can be a well-coordinated kind of guy.

Black absorbs heat, so you might not want it if you are sailing in a hot, light-air place. If you are sailing someplace chilly, black might be good.

I like the teal and the turquoise, because they have a tropical look that makes you feel like you are sailing in the Caribbean even if you are on a lake in Kansas. And colors look more fun and friendly if you are going to invite women aboard.

Amen Mary, this black tramp of mine just doesn't seem to cut it with the ladies these days at college.
Trey
N20 314
Layline Rigging
www.velocitysailing.com

Hobie Trampoline in Mesh or Vinyl?

They are both Vinyl actually. The question is Solid Vinyl (only in White) or Mesh Vinyl (in colors). They are both heat welded. The mesh is just porous.

Are there actually "Lakes" in Kansas ??? I thought it was just dust and tornados!

Big lakes and big winds.

Thanks Mary, for defending us out here in the Great Plains. You must remember your trip out here in 1990 with Rick & Randy Smyth for one of your seminars and an intro to KS winds.(3rd windiest in the nation) I admit, I often refer to our Lakes as "Big Mudholes" but what the heck, there are plenty of them and lot's o' wind! The key is wearing the right pair of sunglasses to give the water that turquoise hue, click you're heels and pretend you're in the Caribbean.

Actually, the western part of the state has a few lakes with crystal clear waters, great rock formations, no trees and great wind.

The silver lining in all this, KS is not a destination place(duh), a well kept secret in my opinion. Lot's of big sky, no huge crowds, and easy accessibility to wind & water. Wind Energy in Kansas

Happy sailing

Nathan

Got the url wrong, here it is again web page

cheers

nathan

Hi, Nathan, nice to hear from you.

Of course, I remember. That was a very fun and memorable seminar.

And when we were there, Rick told his story about going to the Laser Nationals in Kansas back in the 1970's. He went to town one night, and when he got back to the campground, his tent had blown away. The next day there was too much wind to race, so everybody rigged sails on the trailers and raced them around the parking lot.

I'm surprised Kansas hasn't become a mecca for sailboarders.