Conference unifix::sailing

I've had Hobies and have sailed cats for years and encountered the same 
problem in light air;  the following helped reduce the creaking, but did
not eliminate it entirely.  Take the cross-beam/side-beam assembly 
apart;  do this carefully and look for shiny spots indicating metal-to-metal
rubbing -- usually there is a burr or piece of slag in the casting (corner
piece).  File the rough spot smooth;  clean all the slip joints on the
pilings, corner castings and side beams, lubricate with grease and reassemble.
Also, check the rivits on the crossbeams;  if loose, drill out and replace.
Finally, get the tramp tight; I mean really tight!  This means several
passes tightening the lacing, taping the edges so they won't pull out of
the grooves, letting it sit in the sun so the tramp is warm and stretches
and then doing another tightening pass.
The nuts on the cross-beam bolts on my boats were always nylon and could
not be overtightened without stripping -- too tight could crack the casting
which you do not want to do!  Make sure your dolphin striker snug (no slop
in resting position);  again do not overtighten and make sure it is lubricated
where it goes through the corner casting.

This should help;  if it doesn't, let me know and there are more steps that
can be taken.

Wow, thats more information than I was hoping to hear!  Thanx a bunch,
if its not raining this weekend (which it is supposed to do), I'll give
it a shot.  I sure hope I haven't stripped anything tightening things
down.  Any suggestions for tighteng the tramp?  I did it last season,
but something like a roller-skate hook seems like it would do the trick.

Thanx,
Dan

Dan,
   there are a few things you can buy from SSI which might also help out. They
sell a pack of copper shims for the pylons but I read that plastic coffee can
lids work quite well as packing also. To tighten your tramp you might want to
try replacing the standard lacing with shock cord which is supposed to distribute the load better.
   Any of you folks going to the Hobie regattas at Nahant on June 15 or Hampton
Beach on June 22nd?
                                                                       Bill.

Re:  .-1

	SSI?

Dan

           SSI = Sailing Systems Inc. 
                  4815 Amy Drive
                   Crystal Lake Ill.
                       60014
         Phone: 815 455 4599

These folks supply parts for Hobies, most of which you can pick up at the
local dealers or order direct. I know for sure that Smallcraft in Harwichport
have a stock of the shims.

Bill.

if you are going to buy a shock cord kit instead of just buying the cord
alone (a great deal creaper), you may wish to look for a "winter lacing"
it consists of the shock cord plus so pieces of plastic to keep the water
from coming up through the middle of the tramp.  So far , i just stuff
generic trash bags inbetween the laces. on the ocean, it really helps
keep you nice and dry ( at least until you flip it, every crazy does unless
there are really light airs).

my boat never creaks in light airs, but in 6-8 foot seas, it will start should
i start broaching (luckily , i try to avoid this) . you may start to get a
banging noise also, this can be the styrofoam inside the hull bouncing around.
i don't think it is anything to worry about.

as for lacing, a skate hook is a good idea, but i find it is a lot easier with
a friend's second pair of hands.

john

    If you use shock cord a good idea is to get two sets of vice grips.
    You stretch by pulling then clamp the grip to the cord at the eyelet.
    Then pull tight through the next eyelet and grip again with the
    second pair of grips.  Release the first and start again.
    
    	Gary (a Oklahoma Hobie 16 owner)
    

Re  last couple

    With several years of racing under my belt, I can now say one should
never use shock cord for lacing up the trampoline. A cat is a very light
boat that accelerates much better the tighter the frame is. Having shock
cord hold the trampoline allows the shock cord to slowly absorb a puff in
light airs instead of transfering it directly to the boat (i.e. you don't
get pushed with as much force). It is better to use the normal lines.

    A good tip is to tighten the lines on a hot afternoon when the tramp is
nice and soft. Just remember to loosen it in the fall so as not to tear the
material. One should also retighten the tramp at least twice a season, more
if constantly used in heavy winds. You will find the boat accelerates better.

john