Trampoline Fabric

[Big Mark]

Hi everybody,

First time for me posting in this particular forum. I have a 14' inflatable pontoon boat that I use for fishing, photography, etc. It has a small outboard, and I glassed 1/2" plywood to use as the base. The entire base measures about 105" x 30", and its in two pieces.

I have an opportunity to purchase very high quality trampoline fabric to use as a base in place of the fiberglass/wood floor. It would be much, much lighter. The fabric would be secured and very tight, so no play in the fabric will exist at all.

The problem is that I have never stood on trampoline fabric before, so I'm not sure just how stiff it is and whether it would allow me to stand on it, move about, fish while standing on it, etc. Can you do this on trampoline fabric? Anybody out there with a Hobie who knows?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Regards,

Mark

 

[saildan]

Re: Trampoline Fabric

Hi everybody,

First time for me posting in this particular forum. I have a 14' inflatable pontoon boat that I use for fishing, photography, etc. It has a small outboard, and I glassed 1/2" plywood to use as the base. The entire base measures about 105" x 30", and its in two pieces.

I have an opportunity to purchase very high quality trampoline fabric to use as a base in place of the fiberglass/wood floor. It would be much, much lighter. The fabric would be secured and very tight, so no play in the fabric will exist at all.

The problem is that I have never stood on trampoline fabric before, so I'm not sure just how stiff it is and whether it would allow me to stand on it, move about, fish while standing on it, etc. Can you do this on trampoline fabric? Anybody out there with a Hobie who knows?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Regards,

Mark

Let's see if I have a good mental picture of your boat from your verbal description. It's internal floor space is 11-1/2' x 5'. You presently have a 1/2" thick, 2 piece wood floor and you want to lighten things up by installing a trampoline floor in its place.

You are claiming "no play in the fabric will exist at all" which seems to defy logic if not physics especially in an inflatable.

The first thing I'm curious about is, how will your tramp be attached and what to?

HobieCat tramps are laced into a rigid metal frame, they are firm, but still give some. A little like walking on a wresteling mat.

 

[Big Mark]

Re: Trampoline Fabric

Hi,

Thanks for responding, and I apologize for not making myself clear the first time.

There are two 14' x 19" tubes. Connecting the two tubes are a series of 1" aluminum tubes, the tubes maintain a distance of 30" apart, but this can change depending on how I set up the aluminum pipes. It could be wider or narrower. Basically, it's a typical inflatable pontoon boat that is used in river running, except that they normally have mesh floors so that the water isn't trapped. I would prefer not to use a mesh floor, as it will allow me to stay dry; every time you go over waves the water will push up through the fabric, a solid trampoline fabric will eliminate this.

In the picture you've provided there are a series of springs along the side, this will not be there, so there will be no flexibility. Let me try me best to explain.

The fabric will be measure approx. 105" x 30" when finished. Along the length of it, the fabric will be folded around to create a sleeve. Aluminum tubes will run inside these sleeves the length of the boat. Small portions of the fabric will be cut out in about 4-5 places along its length to accommodate cross pipes, this will ensure that the frame stays stiff, not allowing the fabric to fold in on itself. Also, small gaps in the fabric will be added to accommodate the 1" tie down straps that fasten the frame to the tubes.

Here's just an example of a frame, imagine placing the fabric across the lower portion of the frame that you would stand on, as you can see there is no play whatsoever since the frame is welded together and then fastened to the tubes. Right now I have two large plywood floors, but it's too heavy and difficult to move.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1262&pdeptid=1053

Thanks again for any help you can provide.

Kind regards,

Mark

 

[saildan]

Re: Trampoline Fabric

Mark,

The NRS picture helps. I think you're going to get a fair amount of give with that setup.

My thnking is more cross-bar support will be needed in the lower framework to equal the beefy frame of a HobieCat. Even with that, like I said, a Hobie tramp isn't drum tight - and fabrics are never as solid a footing as a wood floor.

Down River Equipment, Denver makes a custom frame of larger diameter, thicker tubes that might be a better match to the sort of taughtness you are trying to achieve.

What is your SuperTramp fabric, Dyneema, Liquid Crystal Polymer, Ultra Kevlar, something like that?

 

[Big Mark]

Re: Trampoline Fabric

Hi, thanks again for your help. The frame is quite rigid, there are 4-5 cross beams that connect both aluminum tubes that run along the sides, so the base has quite a bit of support. I can't see the tubes themselves sagging at all, since they're welded/bolted to each other. The material is Permatron Trampoline Fabric, which I believe is the industry leader. It has no stretch at all. Really, what interests me is that fact that it will be lightweight and easy to transport. I know it won't be as rigid as a hardwood floor, but if I could get close enough I think it would serve its purpose.

Can trampoline fabric be easily rolled and folded, or is it really stiff material? I've never seen the stuff myself.

Thanks again.

Mark

 

[saildan]

Re: Trampoline Fabric

The material is Permatron Trampoline Fabric, which I believe is the industry leader. It has no stretch at all.

Can trampoline fabric be easily rolled and folded, or is it really stiff material? I've never seen the stuff myself.

Thanks again.

Mark

You might email TenCate, the fabric maker. http://www.tencate.com/smartsite.dws?ch=&id=3685

What I'm getting from their writeup is this Polypropolyene fabric has give, but possess super "memory", allowing it to return to it's original dimension without suffering any perminant elongation.

This is Permatron in action. Ignoring the sprung edge support, note the deformation directly at the bouncer's feet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9pfcce8U58 I believe that's also the deflection you'll experience standing on it, regardless how taught it's drawn.

Your application needs strike me as pushing the envelope and I think your questions about sucess in use will be best ansewred by the TenCate tech support - or through your own experimentation.

 

[Big Mark]

Re: Trampoline Fabric

Thanks for the video, and yeah, you're probably right. Perhaps, the fact that the fabric will only measure 30" in diameter will help, not to mention the fabric will be stitched and wrapped taught around aluminum tubes. There will probably be some sort of give, but minimal. The question is will it serve its purpose? Unfortunately, the only way to really know is to purchase the fabric, have a sail maker cut it and stitch it to size, and then install it, which won't be cheap.

Thanks again for all your time and support.

Kind regards,

Mark