Hi Want to install 1 or 2 clutches on my Catalina 28 MK 11 1996 to bring some lines back to cockpit. There are no nuts showing from the Inside roof so the bolts do not go through . Are there slots already installed so that I can screw the new clutches in or do I have to drill holes to fit them ?
Slots for clutches
- Thread starter MORNING LIGHT
- Start date
Just spoke with Catalina Direct about my 1986 Catalina 27, they told me that under the flat area where my clutch is there is an embedded plate that I can drill and tap to replace the starboard single with a dual clutch. Will try to attach a picture of the flat spot.
Bob
Bob
We are interested in adding a double to our deck as well. Please keep us posted in how it goes and add photos if you can.
Thanks
Thanks
Folks, this is a recurring question. The answer is to literally tap with a rubber mallet, because what some guy in California tells you MAY be true or not. YOU need to find out what's on YOUR boat. Really.
I've owned three Catalinas, a 22, 25 and 34. Each was different. On our 34 I added a sheetstopper inboard of the two existing ones on the starboard side. Based on this "input" there should have been a plate.
There wasn't. So I drilled through. Not a big deal.
Don't wait, go find out what YOU have on YOUR boat.
If you have to drill through, bed it with Maine Sail's butyl tape, none other, his is the very best for marine use --- he did his homework and provides the best material you can find.
Those who know me on this board know I "hate" the word "best" (as in "What's the best..." kinda questions).
In this case I do not hesitate to say his butyl tape IS the BEST.
Sure, buy some crap from Lowe's, but it ain't the same.
Good luck.
I've owned three Catalinas, a 22, 25 and 34. Each was different. On our 34 I added a sheetstopper inboard of the two existing ones on the starboard side. Based on this "input" there should have been a plate.
There wasn't. So I drilled through. Not a big deal.
Don't wait, go find out what YOU have on YOUR boat.
If you have to drill through, bed it with Maine Sail's butyl tape, none other, his is the very best for marine use --- he did his homework and provides the best material you can find.
Those who know me on this board know I "hate" the word "best" (as in "What's the best..." kinda questions).
In this case I do not hesitate to say his butyl tape IS the BEST.
Sure, buy some crap from Lowe's, but it ain't the same.
Good luck.
Hey Stu, can you describe the tap method? I have some ideas what that means but willing to get some input. Guessing the more solid "thud" would imply a thicker base??
Thanks
Thanks
It is unlikely that the holes would line up for your new clutch, even if there was an imbedded plate. I would through bolt in any case.. you don't know what you're tapping into... I'll bet you a dollar that they just screwed them into the deck without a plate.
Locate the place you want your clutches... and drill. If you hit a metal plate.... either go on through or try tapping a thread into the mysterious plate if you choose.
You can't hurt the boat.... and no one you sell it to later is going to hold up a brochure and claim that your boat isn't spec......
This isn't the corvette owners association its sailing. You can make the interior look nice with stainless cap nuts over the bolts.
The important thing is to get it set up the way you want it.
When I added rope clutches... I ending up moving the winches as far back as possible... after I removed some unneeded cleats that were inexplicably located behind those winches.
Remember that just because the deck hardware was installed by the factory 20 years ago doesn't mean that it is optimal for your sailing today.
Locate the place you want your clutches... and drill. If you hit a metal plate.... either go on through or try tapping a thread into the mysterious plate if you choose.
You can't hurt the boat.... and no one you sell it to later is going to hold up a brochure and claim that your boat isn't spec......
This isn't the corvette owners association its sailing. You can make the interior look nice with stainless cap nuts over the bolts.
The important thing is to get it set up the way you want it.
When I added rope clutches... I ending up moving the winches as far back as possible... after I removed some unneeded cleats that were inexplicably located behind those winches.
Remember that just because the deck hardware was installed by the factory 20 years ago doesn't mean that it is optimal for your sailing today.
The forces on a clutch are going to be shear only. Keep that in mind.
You can drill the holes and then stick a hanger down and tap and gauge a depth to the inner liner and also get a good idea of where it would come through. If you want, you can then drill straight through. Then you could take a larger bit inside and drill up to create a clearance hole. Large enough to put washers, nuts and a nut driver in.
Then you can start the search for plugs.
Definitely use the right butyl tape.
You can drill the holes and then stick a hanger down and tap and gauge a depth to the inner liner and also get a good idea of where it would come through. If you want, you can then drill straight through. Then you could take a larger bit inside and drill up to create a clearance hole. Large enough to put washers, nuts and a nut driver in.
Then you can start the search for plugs.
Definitely use the right butyl tape.
Scott, you first hop a British Airways flight to London, and head over to Baker Street, look up Sherlock Holmes and consult with Dr. Watson about their past cases. The London fog can require much tapping. You'll need to buy an umbrella. To tap with, of course.
Yup, you'll hear a different sound if there's a plate under the cabintop.
Good luck.
I have the same boat, same year (1996 Catalina 28). My rope clutches are all lined up on shiny (no non-skid) raised areas either side of the companionway.
The port side has four rope clutches, which pretty well fill the raised area. The starboard side has three clutches and a clam cleat for the mainsheet.
I use all the starboard clutches (main halyard, topping lift, and occasional use of clam cleat for mainsheet). Of the four on the port side, I only use three (assigned to the genoa halyard, reefing line, and a spare halyard).
Just offering this info in case your boat currently has fewer clutches. My boat came from Catalina with these clutches and they are not through bolted, which would seem to indicate that there's a plate in there.
If you're adding some clutches, I suppose you could carefully drill until you hit metal, drill through the metal and no further, and then tap it. If you never hit metal, then you'll be through bolting for you installation.
Out of curiosity, how many clutches do you have currently?
The port side has four rope clutches, which pretty well fill the raised area. The starboard side has three clutches and a clam cleat for the mainsheet.
I use all the starboard clutches (main halyard, topping lift, and occasional use of clam cleat for mainsheet). Of the four on the port side, I only use three (assigned to the genoa halyard, reefing line, and a spare halyard).
Just offering this info in case your boat currently has fewer clutches. My boat came from Catalina with these clutches and they are not through bolted, which would seem to indicate that there's a plate in there.
If you're adding some clutches, I suppose you could carefully drill until you hit metal, drill through the metal and no further, and then tap it. If you never hit metal, then you'll be through bolting for you installation.
Out of curiosity, how many clutches do you have currently?
I have 4 clutches on port and 1 clam cleat with 2 clutches on starboard. I have room for 2 more clutches between cleat and the 2 clutches to fit my out haul and second reef not installed yet .
Ah, I wondered what additional lines you were wanting to run to the cockpit. I've given a little thought to running the outhaul to my empty clutch. Guess the only reason I haven't is I've only had the boat for one season and have already done MANY things to it. Probably a few more things on the list before I get to the outhaul.
I love this boat.
No second reef in my future. If I ever need that, I'll just panic and go below to hide.
Back to the point though, it'd be hard to imagine they didn't put a large enough chunk of metal in there to accommodate future additions. You'll let us know?
I love this boat.
No second reef in my future. If I ever need that, I'll just panic and go below to hide.
Back to the point though, it'd be hard to imagine they didn't put a large enough chunk of metal in there to accommodate future additions. You'll let us know?
Installed the double clutch on the starboard side where a single was, found a plate to tap into as expected, install was easy. Happy with the results. Hope you're install is as easy.
Why not go all the way through and then use a nice stainless steel backing plate, about a 100x's stronger in my opinion than tapping an unknown bedded plate. Plus, yiu an and should use more tape on the Lower plate and never have a link.
When i re-bedded everything i used tape on all my backplates as well. I nver have a drop in the cabin despite the heaviest and nastiest summer moonsoon storms...
When i re-bedded everything i used tape on all my backplates as well. I nver have a drop in the cabin despite the heaviest and nastiest summer moonsoon storms...
Should not seal the underside. Why? If water should get in above - it is best it has a way out and not be trapped inside to potentially rot the core.
Hi I haven't hard the Time to install new clutches but I checked and removed one screw on a cam cleat beside and there is some metal underneath , so we should be able to tap new holes and install new clutches next spring.