Installing new clutch on the deck of a Catalina 30

[Tpoo]

Hi all - new member here, having recently purchased a 1989 Catalina tall rig. Still learning the boat and replacing/repairing worn out rigging.

On the starboard side cabin top, next to the sliding hatch cover and forward of the winch, she is rigged with a single clutch to secure the main halyard and a jam cleat for the main sheet. I believe this is the factory configuration. Both the clutch and cleat are mounted on a raised piece of the deck - sort of like a small platform that I think was intended for mounting this type of running rigging.

On the starboard side, there is the same raised platform but currently without any rigging. Two lines run through the bottom of the traveler back, past the raised platform and on to the winch on that side: one is the halyard for the genoa and the other is a second halyard that is currently not being used (I assume it is for a spinnaker). Anyway, I want to install the clutch on the raised platform in order to secure the genoa halyard. This is probably overkill because I could likely get away with just securing the halyard to a cleat on the mast, because the halyard is rarely used (we have roller furling). But I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of overkill when it comes to securing critical lines.

After all of that exhaustive background, I have a simple question: does anyone know what I can expect to find when I drill mounting holes in that raised platform to install the clutch? Is it made of a solid piece of fiberglass or might there be a wood core? If solid fiberglass, any thoughts on the length of the screws I might use? The clutch is a Spinlock XAS (double clutch).

Thanks for any help or insights that you might provide.

 

[dlochner]

This is probably overkill because I could likely get away with just securing the halyard to a cleat on the mast, because the halyard is rarely used (we have roller furling). But I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of overkill when it comes to securing critical lines.

The problem with this approach is the amount of line that will be dumped in the cockpit. There will be 40 or so feet of halyard that has to go somewhere. Cleats are generally more secure than rope clutches and easier on the line. Clutches wear and will eventually slip, they also limit line size, so if the halyard is replaced with a smaller diameter line, the clutch may not hold it as well. I ran into this problem when I replaced my main halyard with a smaller diameter higher tech line. Now I have an extra halyard I don't need.

 

[sail sfbay]

Refer to posts #2 and 4 in the thread below on the same subject and installing a spinlock XAS on a Catalina 30.

Rope Clutch Install??

Hi all, I'm planning on installing a couple of rope clutches on the pads located on the cabin top, on either side of the cabin door. I need to know the construction of these pads so that I can decide what method to use. When I removed the spinnaker cleat, I seemed to hit a small space and...

forums.sailboatowners.com

http://www.theboatdad.com/2017/02/18/installing-a-spinlock-xas-clutch/

 

[Tpoo]

Hi Dave - you make a great point about the excess line ending up in the cockpit. Right now, the line is routed through the traveler and we keep it wrapped around the cabin top winch on that side. Again, the boat is new to me but it's hard to believe the previous owner(s) lived with that arrangement. Seems very easy for someone to inadvertently release the genoa halyard. Anyway, I'm going to look into the "cleating it on the mast" option to remove the line from the cluttering up the cockpit. What's interesting is that the line (both the primary genoa halyard and the secondary/spinnaker halyard) are routed through holes (fairleads?) built into the traveler cross piece. So I'm left wondering about the purpose of those holes if not to thread the genoa halyard through. The present arrangement just leaves me scratching my head. But if cleating the halyard to the mast is a viable option, I'll return the Spinlock double clutch for a refund...in which case, thank you for saving me $160!

Sail Sfbay - thank you for the link - this is exactly what I will need should I go ahead with the clutch install. Good to know about the aluminum plate - otherwise I would have been startled and mystified when I encountered it when I started drilling.

Happy sailing to both of you gentlemen.

 

[sailme88]

My C34 is configured with a triple clutch. Genoa halyard. spinnaker halyard and slab reefing line. The 2 halyards are butterflied and stored up on the cabin top against the dodger. If you go to the Wednesday photo link and refer to my FOG pic, you'll see both halyards ( blu & red) out of the way. You'll see the stopper knot in the open clutch of the reefing line and you'll also see the traveler line.

 

[Tally Ho]

I don’t have a C-30, but on my O’Day 322, I have rope clutches on both sides of the companionway, including main halyard, spin halyard, etc.

I use some 3M gizmos to hold the lines when not in use. Once I raise the halyard, I will tidy things up and coil the halyard back in the rope holder. Photo will give you an idea how things look when stowed...



Greg

 

[dlochner]

I like those 3M hooks. May have to stop at Lowe's on the way to the boat tomorrow.

 

[FastOlson]

Regarding clutch mounting -- you really need to gain access to the underside of the housetop in that area so that a backing plate can be installed. If cored there, you need to epoxy-pot the holes.

We have unused halyard tails coiled and hanked and they rest agains the back of the cabin.
Tails of the Main, jib, and any spinnaker or other control lines in use are just tossed into the cabin to keep the cockpit clear. This is sometimes called the "casual pasta" system...
The running joke is for someone to ask if there is any tomato sauce to pour in... !
(Dumb joke 30 years ago, and persists to present times.)

Be a bit cautious about drilling holes in the FRP to attach gewgaws to hold those lines; line storage new ideas wax and wane, but the holes are forever.

Stand by. Ready for takedown?! Now!!!!

 

[dlochner]

Be a bit cautious about drilling holes in the FRP to attach gewgaws to hold those lines; line storage new ideas wax and wane, but the holes are forever.

The 3M hooks use an adhesive that can be easily removed. We have several holding up various things in the house. No holes.

 

[sailme88]

Follow up to my above post. When we acquired our current boat, the PO had attached three self sticking line keepers to the port side cockpit bulkhead. The Admiral would constantly complain that they were in the way for leading against that bulkhead. Hence my butterfly lines stored on the cabin top . The lay low is there is no line of visibility issue..

 

[Tally Ho]

The 3M hooks use an adhesive that can be easily removed. We have several holding up various things in the house. No holes.

Yep...They use the same adhesive strip as the 3M wall hooks. These are cable wraps or something...and they work nice, I replaced them this year, and added one on the STB side so all lines have a resting place.

the mainsheet bundle was too much for the cord wraps. So I used a 3M hook there, drilled a hole in it, and tied a string through the hole...

Greg

 

[rgranger]

To answer your question about what to expect. If the Catalina's are similarly built to the Hunters, there will be an encapsulated aluminum plate in that raised section. You will need to drill and tap. I installed a three clutch and a triple deck organizer to port on mine. For some reason I did not take pics of the clutch install but here are pics of the organizer instal. The process is identical.

 

[jssailem]

@Tpoo if memory serves, the Catalina's I have been in have a number of cap nuts on the ceiling of the cabin. They are holding the deck gear. The cap nuts keep your head from becoming impelled on the ends of a bolt. That makes me think that you will not find an "embedded" plate in the deck. You will need to use a "thru-bolt" strategy to hold the deck gear you are contemplating for your lines.

 

[Tpoo]

Wow, this is such helpful advice - many thanks to all. Not only have a gained insight regarding my original question, but also lots other tips. I love the idea of using those 3M stick on hooks to organize all the lines cluttering the cockpit. Will definitely do that. Although thanks for the laugh about the "casual pasta" system....Although there is a very thin line (about the width of angel hair? haha) between "casual" and "disorganized mess."

Fast Olsen and JS Sailem: Excellent advice about drilling all the way through the cabin top and using bolts secured with back plate and cap nuts. However, I am 95% sure my boat has the embedded aluminum plate on the riser where the clutch will be mounted. I say this because I read about an identical install someone did on a 1988 Catalina 30 (mine is a 1989). Link is above and copied here in case you're interested:
http://www.theboatdad.com/2017/02/18/installing-a-spinlock-xas-clutch/
Funny coincidence...the boat on this website is located here in Houston...at the same marina. I'm trying to connect with the owner to compare notes.

Rgranger: Thanks for the helpful photos...I believe this is exactly what I will need to do. I've never used a tap before but I understand that the hole needs to be drilled with a bit having a slightly lower diameter. I already done the research on this and know what I need to do.

Thanks again for the all the help everyone and happy sailing. Thank goodness the unrelenting summer heat is finally going away here in Houston. Looking forward to some quality time on Galveston Bay here in the next few months (sans Bimini). I think it's our best time of the year.

Tpoo

 

[Stu Jackson]

Refer to posts #2 and 4 in the thread below

Tes, my reply two said:

Many have reported that there are metal pads underneath the fiberglass. Some haven't found them as their gang of clutches gets wider by adding or installing doubles or triples.

But only YOU can tell what's on your boat, we can't, and that's also because over the years all of the individual C30, 34 & 36 boats are simply different. Tap around with a mallet.

If there are none, drill through and seal, use finish bolts down below. If there are, chose to either drill and tap or drill through anyway and do the same down below.

 

[rgranger]

...I believe this is exactly what I will need to do. I've never used a tap before but I understand that the hole needs to be drilled with a bit having a slightly lower diameter. I already done the research on this and know what I need to do.

Yep! Go one size down on the drill bit from the size of bolt you are going to use but set the tap at the same size as the bolt. I got my tap set at Lowes. If you have watched a youtube or two, then you have probably seen the advice to make a 1/2 turn then back up 1/4 to break the burr off of the bit. That is probably needed for steel but for aluminum I have found I can just turn the tap and make the threads. I have installed a traveller, a deck organizer and a three rope clutch on my H26 and all of the tapping was super easy and straight forward. Don't over think it. I put a dab of 3M 4200 in the hole and then bedded the hardware with butyl tape and bolted it down. It is not hard or complicated and in the off-chance you do manage to bung out the hole, you can always through bolt as a plan-B... so don't stress about it.