Halyard Clam Cleat replacement

fred1diver · Jun 3, 2016

it would help to see what your actual setup is like

on my dolphin 23 the cam cleats and the spin lock units are on the side of the companionway on top of the cabin roof

IMG_2451

fred1diver
Jun 3, 2016

Karyon · Jun 3, 2016

I installed the spinlock axs 2 on my boat this spring, I mounted them next to the clam cleats.
I drilled 4 new holes thru the cabin roof, I put some sealant underneath the spinlock, and it will tell you, where not to put sealant. I made an aluminum plate same size as the clutch, with 4 holes in it, I mounted that on the inside of the cabin roof for extra strength. And I think I used 1 1/2 inch length stainless bolts, I don't remember the size.
It was actually pretty easy, and it works great, I'm happy I did it.

Scotty147 · Jun 6, 2016

skutsje said:
...I made an aluminum plate same size as the clutch, with 4 holes in it, I mounted that on the inside of the cabin roof ...

Did you fill the space between the cabin roof and the deck? The cabin roof seems too flimsy in that area to provide much strength to the rope clutch.

I want to replace the clam cleats with a double clutch, too, and thought I'd just drill and tap the aluminum plate that's in the deck and mount the clutch with machine screws like the clam cleats are mounted.

Am I thinking right? Or is there another (better) way?

BTW: Does anyone know the thickness of the aluminum plate that's molded into the 23.5 deck under the halyard clam cleats?

Scotty147 · Jun 24, 2016

Well, I did it! I installed a Garhauer double rope clutch in place of the 3 clam cleats by drilling and tapping 4 new 1/4-28 mounting holes in the embedded aluminum plate. I'd never used a tap before so had much trepidation but it went very smoothly. The clutches work great and look good, too. I initially thought I'd have to rig up something different for the keel uphaul line but quickly realized I only needed to cleat it when the sails were not up so I could use one of the rope clutches for double duty.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jun 25, 2016

folks, remember the hunter water ballast interior cabin ceiling has voids in it between the deck and that liner except for the marine putty holding it in place to help keep the weight down for trailerable purposes. Therefore as pointed out, do not think you can put a plate on the inside of the ceiling as it may very well cause that ceiling panel to collapse inward if there is a void between that and the deck. You have to fill the void and suggest using injection foam.

Rick Macdonald · Jun 28, 2016

@mmhammer, @Karyon & Scotty147:

I'm curious, what years are your H23.5s? My 1995 has only one clam cleat (also called a V-cleat and has no moving parts), which is for the centerboard uphaul. (fred1diver posted a photo of "cam" cleats.) The halyards go from the mast, through a deck organizer to a double clutch that's forward of the winch. The only other hardware is the winches and the horn cleats (which I replaced years ago with Spinlock Powercleats).

I wonder if my double rope clutch is not stock? I bought the boat in 2002 when it was 7 years old.

My jib halyard is not used due to my furler, so I routed the boom vang through the 2nd clutch no longer used by the halyard.

Jackdaw · Jun 28, 2016

fred1diver said:
it would help to see what your actual setup is like

on my dolphin 23

A suggestion to everyone in general, hold off on editorials like this; and let people with actual knowledge of the specific boat (per the posted forum) in question pipe in. This post pertained to a specific boat; the fact that you don't own one does not really factor. People with the boats know exactly what he's talking about, even without pictures.

Rick Macdonald · Jun 28, 2016

I should have mentioned that the double clutch that came with my boat eventually wore out and wouldn't grip any longer. I replaced it with a new spinlock xas /2, and found only four holes, two sets of fore-and-aft holes, and nothing else. In other words, if somebody replaced the factory clam cleats they (and I) were able to use the same tapped holes in the factory installed backing plate.

Scotty147 · Jun 29, 2016

Rick Macdonald said:
@mmhammer, @Karyon & Scotty147:

I'm curious, what years are your H23.5s?

My 23.5 is a '93 model. When I replaced the clam cleats with the double rope clutch, I was unable to reuse any of the existing holes. I installed a Garhauer. Perhaps the Spinlock has a hole pattern that matches the clam cleat holes. If so, that's very thoughtful of them.

I wonder if this was a dealer installed item as opposed to a factory standard. Perhaps Crazy Dave can enlighten us.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jun 30, 2016

Jackdaw hit this on the nailhead. Let those who know the boat answer. Thanks for the great advice as always.

There is an aluminum plate encapsulated in the fiberglass. I am not sure if the area in question is raised or simply flat with no non skid appearance. A photo to refresh my memory would help. You can place a double rope clutch if you stay within the area of the two cam cleats and possibly use existing holes. If you want to see if you are in the area of the aluminum plate which is about 1/4 inch thick, drill a small pilot hole to see if you get aluminum shavings coming out but do this one at a time. If filliing holes simply use 5200 if being covered up or use a good two part epoxy.

As for simply putting a plate on the inside of the ceiling in cabin, no dice unless you fill the voids between ceiling liner and the deck; otherwise, you will be pulling the liner upward and that is not good unless you can fill the voids.

Fred1diver, suggest attaching pad eyes over the clams to keep the lines within the cam cleat area to avoid having to get up and putting them back in.

I was considered the largest small boat dealer for many years in the U. S. to include nearly all brands, so my knowledge and experience is vast being the largest small boat dealer as an example for Hunter over 25 years alone.