Install Netting in front of Tramp?

Nevermind I just found a whole bunch of threads on this, hehehehhe 😳

--arthur

I like this mesh bag for storage. Maybe a larger one for camping.

Thanks Peter 🙂

So, this project has caused me to learn net-making 🙂 I've decided to make a rope net myself. I've made a couple of practice nets and am now ready to make the real thing. Since my boat is in Florida, I can't measure, so would anyone mind measuring their P16 for me?? 😀 I would like a measurement from the front of the front crossbar to the bridle wires, and also an inside measurement between the hulls, just in front of the crossbar.

Thanks in Advance!!

--arthur

In the old days we called that macrame. Very hippie of you. 🙂

Ahh yes, and after I get my cargo net done, I'm going to make some pretty plant hangers to hang my flowers and ferns around the boat as well!

--arthur

Measurements are roughly 67 1/2 inches between hulls at front of crossbar and from the front of the crossbar
along the hull to the bridle eye is 63 1/4 inches. Show us pics of the final product.

Peter,

Thanks so much! I got antsy and kept tying while I was waiting, so the net is going to be roughly 6ft x 6ft, which sounds like it's going to be a little big. That's okay though, as I can attach at the second row or whatever. I will send pictures of the finished net (a little more than 1/2 finished now), and the week after labor day, I will send more with it on the boat.

Thanks again!

--arthur

I have been considering doing the same thing so be sure to document and provide macromay tips.

If you sail hard, and occasionally stick the leeward bow, consider a triangle like Peter shows. Full width at the main beam, tapering forward to a point on the boat's centerline. If you make the net a rectangle that fills the area in between the beam and the bridle tangs, when the bow goes under, the net adds a lot of drag, stopping the boat much faster than with no net.

Also, be conscious of putting much weight forward of the beam, for overall balance, and resist the temptation to bring a bunch of stuff just because you can.

None of this is real important if you sail mostly in light to moderate air, and aren't concerned about performance.

Dave

Here's a post on my blog about the net 🙂

http://ginnyseal.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/i-made-this-net-first-as-proof-of-concept/

--arthur

So what would be the general opinion on the G-Cat's performance with it's forward tramp, when sailing hard?

PS I have had the G-Cat out in 15mph winds, sailing hard, but did not have the front tramp installed. With no tramp up front the spray off the center beam when we stuffed the leeward bow was fiercesome.

Edited by turbohobo on Aug 01, 2012 - 09:10 AM.

I have sailed on g-cats in heavy air many times.

the front tramp can exacerbate pitch poleing if you stuff the bows 6-8" above the decklids (but at that point... your goin over anyway). My friend has tape on his bows... and knows if water hits the aft part of the tape... he is wet

The front tramp can also exacerbate windage in a few situations (when capsized, coming off waves, sitting on the beach in a storm, etc)

The hull shapes also make the gcat a bit pitchy to begin with.. so you (and crew) better be nimble in heavy air.... or your goin swimmin

i have seen them removed for racing but in non-racing conditions there is no need to remove it.

The advantages outway the disadvantages for leasure sailing: access to jib if needed, storing gear, taking the extended family out for a drift (boat doesn't really perform well with lots of weight up front), etc

Quarath wrote: I have been considering doing the same thing so be sure to document and provide macromay tips.

Well, I'm in Florida now 🙂 Got the boat out yesterday - launched at Nokomis (north jetty) and sailed out the channel and around to the beach, where we stayed most of the day. Wind picked up to 8/9 knots and family let me sail alone for a little bit, so I even got to fly a hull 🙂

Anyway, I've got the net with me and am figuring out how best to mount it this week. I will post pics sometime by this weekend. Forecast is for 15 knots Saturday and 2-4 foot seas - so we'll probably be staying on the leeward side of the islands where possible 🙂

--arthur

Sorry I didn't post pics.. Got busy. What a wild ride!!!

Here are some pics of the net mounted on the boat, and one with stuff lashed to it. We had to sail out through the breakers, so everything got wet, of course. We planned on that. What I hadn't anticipated was how much the net would sag. So, the first day, it was a problem. However, the second morning, I attached the front of the net to the bridle, all along in several places, pulling it up higher and making it tighter. This worked very well. After being very disappointed the first day, I'm very pleased with the net and will use it again.

If you want to do similar, my only caution is to test-sail with it on a day when the conditions aren't so rough, and when you have nothing else planned, so you can tweak things before setting off in earnest like I did.

Here's a link to the photos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallencreek/sets/72157631450414906/

Looks good, very well done! Congrats.