Auto Release Cleat for Rudder

[Tim Peoples]

I saw a discussion in the archives regarding using an "Auto Release Cleat" for the rudder line. This seemed to me to be an excellent solution. I could not find any follow up to see if anyone has tried this successfully. Has anyone done this ? If so, would you recommend it ?

 

[Mike B.]

Yes Yes

With the low water levels here lately I put on a Clamcleat CL257 last year. I works as advertized, and it saved my bacon a couple of times.I removed the horn cleat mounted to the top of the rudder and used one of those holes to mount the clamcleat. Then drill and tap a new hole for the second screw.The only drawback is that these are small, and hold only a 1/4" line, so you'll have to re-rig the rudder downhaul. Without the horn cleat I tie the trailing uphaul line to the D-ring welded on top of the post.I bought mine through West Marine.

 

[Mike]

yessssss

I put one on mine but I kept the cam cleat also. I like it because it helps pull the line out of the cam cleat without tearing up the line when the rudder kicks up. It pushes the line more aftward when it pops out of the cleat. My boat is an H23 but I'm assuming you've got the same lousy kickup rudder system. I agree with the previous poster that the auto release cleat would be better if it was larger. I put a section of garden hose over a loop in the skinny 1/4" line to save my hands when hauling down the rudder.