I want to replace a jam cleat for my mainsheet with a rope clutch but cannot figure how to gain access to the underside of the deck where the nuts and washers need to be installed.
any suggestions?
any suggestions?
Adding a new rope clutch
- Thread starter damarshall
- Start date
The jam cleat and your existing clutches are not through bolted but rather there is an aluminum plate embedded at the mounting place and the hardware is screwed to it. The clam cleat is 3-3/4 inches between mounting holes and uses 5/16 flathead screws and the clutch takes a 1/4 screw and spaced at 2-5/8, so not a "direct" R&R.
As I awoke this morning it literally "Dawned" on me "Garhauer makes an adapter plate for that". I knew there was something about the screws and their spacing rattling around a dark corner of what remains of my memory.
https://www.garhauermarine.com/shop...am-cleats/11-11s-ccc-cam-cleat-adaptor-plate/
https://www.garhauermarine.com/shop...am-cleats/11-11s-ccc-cam-cleat-adaptor-plate/
I ordered those plates from Garhauer after reading your post Ted. I never liked the clam cleat set up for my main sheets, they slipped too easily and I only ever used the starboard side sheet through the topside winch.
I ordered the plates and subsequent clutch. It cost about $200 for the 4 pieces with shipping from CA to NY.
I have a 1997 Catalina 380 and when I went to install the plates, they were a bit off. The holes to hold the bracket to the topside were just about 1mm out of alignment. I tried to bully the bolt but that wouldn't work as it would bind after about 1/4" of turning.
The bracket did come with 2 small 1/4" flat head screws that are about 5/8" long. So I could use the original longer screw on the back side and then the small screw for the front. This worked just fine. All I had to do was go buy 2 new shorter screws for the clutches. Unfortunately, the ship's store near me only had oval head screws so I had to add a locking washer to make them tight.
Once done, it was a bit of a chore to feed the sheet through. They are very large in diameter (not sure what, easily 3/4"?). I found that disengaging the clutch all the way and then prying the back of the clutch up allowed me to feed the sheet through very quickly....trial and error!
I feel there is now way too much line for this set up. Since I have clutches, there is no need for the line to reach all the way to the cockpit wheel. I'll have to play with it once I get the boat in the water.
Appreciate the tip!
Chris
I ordered the plates and subsequent clutch. It cost about $200 for the 4 pieces with shipping from CA to NY.
I have a 1997 Catalina 380 and when I went to install the plates, they were a bit off. The holes to hold the bracket to the topside were just about 1mm out of alignment. I tried to bully the bolt but that wouldn't work as it would bind after about 1/4" of turning.
The bracket did come with 2 small 1/4" flat head screws that are about 5/8" long. So I could use the original longer screw on the back side and then the small screw for the front. This worked just fine. All I had to do was go buy 2 new shorter screws for the clutches. Unfortunately, the ship's store near me only had oval head screws so I had to add a locking washer to make them tight.
Once done, it was a bit of a chore to feed the sheet through. They are very large in diameter (not sure what, easily 3/4"?). I found that disengaging the clutch all the way and then prying the back of the clutch up allowed me to feed the sheet through very quickly....trial and error!
I feel there is now way too much line for this set up. Since I have clutches, there is no need for the line to reach all the way to the cockpit wheel. I'll have to play with it once I get the boat in the water.
Appreciate the tip!
Chris
Surprised and dismayed to hear the plate was off Chris, I thought all the pieces involved were unchanged for long enough they'd be exact. I wish I'd thought to mention I keep a cheap "grabber" on board because I got so frustrated feeding lines thru clutches. It ALMOST always works. I'm lucky there is still a small old school hardware store near harbor with a big assortment of stainless. Don't know how much longer it can remain, they are trying to turn Dana Point from a sleepy beach town to a mega resort like most of the rest of the coast. We don't have to haul for winter but I just got notice my slip fee is going up 10%. Oh, don't forget to leave enough mainsheet for DDW.
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If you are screwing SS bolts into an aluminum plate, it is a good idea to coat the bolt with some Tef-Gel to prevent corrosion.