New homemade tramp - looks like a bought one!

Comment by WaveDancer & Bella on May 5, 2013 at 2:33am

Interesting beams!

Comment by boatsmith on May 5, 2013 at 10:52am

Looks great Roger. I have had problems with grommet loading. You might find that spacing your grommets closer they will resist tearing out more.

Comment by Roger on May 5, 2013 at 11:03am

Hi Boatsmith,

Thanks for the idea. The last one failed around the grommets after 4 years. I'll see how ling this one lasts.

Hi Wavedancer,

The beams are standard dimensions but in welded alu - have had no problems and they seem bulletproof and zero maintenance.

Comment by WaveDancer & Bella on May 5, 2013 at 11:12am

re. beams: I'm wondering if this could be something for my Tiki 33, since coastal cruising and offshore cruising are 2 different things, I'm concerned the loads the beams have to take. My Tiki is longer and heavier (in offshore mode) than the standart Tiki 30.  But I guess Alubeams are much heavier than the standart beams.

Comment by Roger on May 5, 2013 at 11:20am

Hi Wavedancer,

I have not lifted the standard wood beams, but I doubt that they are much lighter if at all. The alu beams are very light - I can lift them around one handed if that is any guide. The best thing is the zero maintenance, apart from watching for corrosion, and that you can attach fittings without the usual waterproofing drama. There is zero flex on the long axis, but they can twist slightly on the short axis if I apply leverage. In the real world, the main beam does not move even in 30+ knots, whereas I understand that the wooden beams flex some. My only paranoia with them is that with a complete failure (the boat coming apart in the ocean) the beams have no buoyancy. I think they are a great mod but you would need a pro welder to make sure the work is good.

Comment by WaveDancer & Bella on May 5, 2013 at 11:38am

Thanks Roger for the infos.  If we can't sell WaveDancer in due time, we'll make her ready for a 2 year live on board cruise. I'm going to take a early pension with 63 next year. 

Comment by Roger on May 5, 2013 at 11:52am

Congratulations - I hope to do something similar one day.

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