Rope Clutches

[RobertB]

Just spent last week on a 45 foot Catalina/Morgan sailboat in Florida (BSA SeaBase) and decided I do not want to live without rope clutches on my . Anyone have a favorite model to recommend? Also, need to make sure the line sizes are 1/4 inch for the foresail furler and 5/16 inch for the dagger board and main halyard. Also plan to tie a block to the current cleat for the dagger board and add a piece of line to make this a 2 to 1 ratio.

[Highlander]

I added double foot blocks on both side of the mast same as the one used for the D/B I just bought 3 more added one on top of the D/B one & doubled up two on the port side exactly oppisite each other
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 0017-1.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010016.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 0015-1.jpg

then installed blocks on the mast base plate
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 0021-1.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 0013-2.jpg

I then mounted my Spinlock double clutches on brkt's in made & installed in front on my winches
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010043.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010038.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010039.jpg

for my furling lines I used spinlock swivel power cleats
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 10/006.jpg
I mounted them on brkt's beside the stanchion one on each side as I have two furlers

Hopes this helps u out J

[RobertB]

Highlander, curious why all the custom brackets and extra blocks? Why not bolt the clutches down to the deck? Also, looks like you are handling quite a few lines.

I was thinking I need a single clutch on the port side (for the furler, possibly a double for future mods) and put a triple on the starboard side (dagger board, main halyard, and a future downhaul maybe).

For the dagger board, all I planned on adding was a single block attached to the dagger board line and add a second line from next to the clutch, through the block and the working end back thru the clutch.

For the halyard, all I really need to do is take off the current cam cleat at the mast, leaving the block, or replace the assembly with a new block.

For the furler, add just the clutch.

Not critical, just curious.

[Russ]

Love them spin lock cleats. Gets my vote.

[beene]

Highlander, curious why all the custom brackets and extra blocks? Why not bolt the clutches down to the deck? Also, looks like you are handling quite a few lines.

I was thinking I need a single clutch on the port side (for the furler, possibly a double for future mods) and put a triple on the starboard side (dagger board, main halyard, and a future downhaul maybe).

For the dagger board, all I planned on adding was a single block attached to the dagger board line and add a second line from next to the clutch, through the block and the working end back thru the clutch.

For the halyard, all I really need to do is take off the current cam cleat at the mast, leaving the block, or replace the assembly with a new block.

For the furler, add just the clutch.

Not critical, just curious.

John needs all that extra stuff because he owns the most unique 26m ever seen. I think with all the changes he has made, he can fly 6 head sails all with their own rigging!

Not that he would ever do that, but he could

G

[RobertB]

6 head sails would be cool. How about a square rigged conversion? The best part IMO would be the peg rail.

[Crikey]

I'm waiting for the Tartan sails!

That would be Clan MacGregor....

[restless]

Hi
we use the simple spinlock cams-with-handles. they are compact, effective and a load cheaper than a full set of clutches. They are mounted on a plate in front of the winches, the starboard side having a diverter pulley on it to feed the winch correctly. Sadly I don't have any photos to hand, and the boat is many miles away. I'll be able to take some pics in a few weeks if you remind me.




In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice;
In practice, there is.
Restless art & engineering

[beene]

Most of my hardware comes from these guys...

http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=36

http://garhauermarine.com/ProductSpecs.cfm?pid=189





G

[davesisk]

I sure would like to see some kind of innovative rope clutch + winch contraption...sure seems like that would be a useful and space saving device.

Dave

[RobertB]

I ordered the BWY halyard aft kit. It states it uses rope clutches but I believe it really uses Spinloc PXR cleats. I also ordered a smaller size Spinlock PXR for the foresail roller furler. Now I am having second thoughts about how easy it is to release the Spinloc PXR for the furler, daggerboard, and main halyard.
Anyone have experience with these? I would rather loose a couple of dollars now than need to re-drill a bunch of holes in the deck (after buying Lewmar clutches).

[Russ]

I ordered the BWY halyard aft kit. It states it uses rope clutches but I believe it really uses Spinloc PXR cleats. I also ordered a smaller size Spinlock PXR for the foresail roller furler. Now I am having second thoughts about how easy it is to release the Spinloc PXR for the furler, daggerboard, and main halyard.
Anyone have experience with these? I would rather loose a couple of dollars now than need to re-drill a bunch of holes in the deck (after buying Lewmar clutches).

I've used the clutch cleats like these on my last boat. Hate them. Got my fingers caught in them. Broke one of the handles off. Not friendly and you have to be right there to release the lever.


Bought our boat from BWY and they installed the Spinloc cleats for lines led aft.
The BWY Spinlocs are fantastic. Love, love love 'em. Easy to flip up and release from behind the wheel. Can pull the dagger, halyard etc. all from the helm seat.
If you are like me, you will enjoy them too.

[Russ]

I will admit, it takes a certain wrist snap to unlock them. The admiral gets frustrated because I tell her to "whip it up fast". To unlock, they need an upward snap motion. I've never had an issue with them. Locking them is the natural position. Pull straight back and they lock nicely.

There are times when I'm leaving the slip and realize I haven't dropped the daggerboard. So a quick snap and let go and it drops right down. Conversely, when approaching the ramp, I leave the board down a bit. Just before hitting the trailer, I'll pull it up and let go of the line and the board is up.

--Russ

[dustoff]

I set up a spinlock double clutch on a teak riser block on the starboard side. I use it for the main halyard and daggerboard right now, with intention to use it for hank-on jib halyard on a solent stay in the near future.

The trick was to set the clutch in the right location in front of the winch IOT keep the utility of using the winch on a line running thru the clutch. My riser is about 3 inches high set 18 inches in front of the winch. Running multiple lines on the M deck back to a clutch is also tricky, because of the small amount of space along the toe rail and the lack of flat space for line organizers. You have to carefully plot out where the lines will run w/ the blocks and clutches on the deck before you start drilling.
I have my lines led aft similar to Highlanders but more like c-130 king`s. My port side I have two slab reefing lines similarly led aft to standard horn cleats I added.
sorry I don`t have pics handy, my boat is in a slip.

[reastmure]

I bought five of the Spinloc PXR cleats. One for the furler line, one for the dagger board line, one for the main halyard aft and two for the jib sheets. The first three are fantastic. Particularly the dagger board one. The ones for the jibs sheets not so good. The winches are very close to the end of the deck and not much room to fit the cleat in. The sheets bind some and are difficult to release freely. (when tacking) I'm thinking of going back to the cam cleats for the sheets. The old holes are plugged but still there!