Dart 15 Forums

Ian C wrote:

Help. I have split the track attached to the hulls in which the tramp slides along. Having spoken to Windsport, Steve Salford and Catbitz who have all been helpful but not cheap as I have a pre 1989 tramp with the narrow bolt rope which does not fit the available tramp tracks which take the wider bolt ropes. Anyone got any ideas? or have a spare old track before I have to renew either the tramp, or bolt ropes.

Bob replied:

Hi Ian,
All the old tracks split in time so you will not get a good replacement old part. I think the time has come to upgrade. You can save costs by getting the bolt ropes of your old tramp changed - any good sail maker will fit 8 mm bolt ropes. It would be a good idea to have any other stitching on the tramp that is looking worn redone at the same time.
Cheers
Bob

Martin Searle replied:

Ian,

I have written up the procedure I used to replace the trampoline tracks on my boat from the old style to the new, its available on this webpage:

http://www.seasaltersailing.org.uk/newtracksd15.htm

Now I don't profess to being an expert but it has lasted the last 3 years without problem and yes it was very nerve wracking taking it out for the first time after replacing them. My trampoline was also shot so I replaced both at the same time.

If you are unsure I'd get a professional boat builderrepairer to do it.

Hope that helps,

Martin Searle

Ian C replied:

Bob/Martin

Thanks very much for the advice. Martin yours was especillay useful. The gall of the whole matter is that it was a brand new tramp mid last season and I have used the boat only 5 times.
So can anyone reccomend a good bolt rope repairer? I have tried Catbitz so far at ?80.

Bob replied:

Hi Ian,
There is another option. A guy at Grafham (Dave Dawkins) is looking to buy a tramp with 5mm bolt ropes as his tramp failed last weekend (but his tracks are good). So - you could split the difference. You could sell Dave Dawkins your nearly new tramp for say ?40 off the retail price (?185) and you could buy a new 8mm bolt rope tramp from Windsport when you buy the new tracks.
That way you both get what you want without an extensive repair on an almost new trampoline.
If you are interested drop me an Email note and I'll put you in contact.
Regards
Bob Carter
PS are you Ian C from Queen Mary?

Bob replied:

I'm increasingly of the opinion that the Windsport/Brian Phipps's strategy of pushing punters into replacing the tracks to the newer/better 8mm Dart 18 type when the old tramp fails is right - on the basis that the old style tracks will not last for another whole trampoline life. So in the case above Ian has to spend ?80 more plus P&P plus extra grief than if he had upgrade the tracks when he changed the trampoline. I notice that Steve Sawford usually upgrades the tracks these days when he refurbishes old boats.

Martin Searle replied:

Ian,

I indicated in my webpage that I had a previous repair which I was undoing with my track replacement perhaps some detail about the previous repair might be of interest.

If the tracks are broken or split near the bows, mine split about 12 inches down from the bow end. When the first two rivets sheared and the track was bent when I applied weight to that area and dislodged the track from the hull. So if the split is near an end then perhaps all is not lost:

What I did was to cut the bent section off where the metal had started to tear and then file up the ends so that they were reasonably smooth. I then rivetted back the broken end into its place on the hull where it came from and added in a few extra rivets to hold it in place. There was a small gap of about 1mm which made it a little awkward getting the trampoline off and on, just getting the bolt rope passed the gap when the trampoline end arrives there. I applied a bit more filing near this gap to remove any projections and to get it as smooth as possible.

I added a few extra rivets on the starboard side track too at where the port one had failed to strengthen things there to prevent adverse things happening there.

It did allow me to keep my current tramp and it was the degradation of this that made me replace it and tracks about 5 yrs later.

Martin S.

George Stephen replied:

Ian,

Assuming that you are Ian C from QMSC, I'll PROBABLY have a quick look at your cat tomorrow when I pick mine up.

My tramp tracks have some dodgy cracks, which I have countered by drilling some extra holes for extra rivets. If I think yours can be repaired the same way, then I'll let you know.

PROBABLY only because I may decide not to go to Halifax if my dodgy health doesn't improve enough overnight and/or if my wife's eye (2nd op - very successful - in 3 months + 3 days) takes a turn for the worse.

George

Ian C replied:

Bob

Yes I am Ian C of Queen Mary, understudy to Gordon Goldstone, tail end Charlie and Coastal Skipper!!!
Thanks for the contact swap offer. I did speak to Steve Sawford about the tramp and he indicated that he might be able to swap it, but we did not discuss costs so I will email him first and come back to your offer if needed be. Thanks very much for all the help and advice from everyone.
Ian

Ian C replied:

George
If you could look at the boat I would be exceedingly grateful. The split is on the starboard side. I am off to Goodwood for the motor event this weekend so won't be around, and have just come back from being in Italy for while, hence my lack of presence.
Fingers crossed for both you and your wife.
Ian

Andrew Hannah replied:

Hi All,

I too, am in the market for a replacement tramp, as mine is beginning to sag like Casanova's bed.

My tracks are very good, so if Steve Sawford or anyone else can provide a tramp with the thinner bolt ropes, please get in touch. A tramp that is nearly new would be fine for me.

Andrew (1060).

Bob replied:

Hi Andrew
Windsport will order one, if required, but for some reason they do not stock them. Ordering one takes 8 weeks.

George Stephen replied:

Ian,

I've not seen a tramp track split like that before - for the benefit of other readers the curved under side of the track that holds the tramp and its bolt rope has split away from the top at the front end for at least 30cm (foot in old money). The tramp tracks that I've seen had splits across or along the track through the rivet holes.....
Yours is terminal, sorry.


George

PS The last time you and I "Chatted" there was a rumour you had been sailing 2 up with a young lady acquaintance. What were you doing on the tramp that caused such a disaster?


George

Ian C replied:

George
So you were told about my new crew from Golden!!! I am surprised he didn't tell you what we were up to on the tramp. Thank god the boat does not have a boom. (Boom Boom)
Everyone's help has provided me with a solution, so I will be back sailing again soon, amongst other things.
Ian