Jib and Cleat

[Lynn Ocean]

As we are getting to know our ODAY 222, Saga, it seems that it is rather difficult to tie off the jib sheet on the horn cleat while tacking. Our boat has been modified for day sail races by the previous owners. We have a standard horn cleat to tie off the jib sheet. Can we just rap it around the horn cleat or do we have to tie it off with a full cross? Also, did the original ODAY 222 have a horn cleat or a clam cleat? What do you recommend for the best quick release and type of cleat for tacking?

Lynn Ocean

 

[Joe]

I've got just the solution for you,

Lynn,
My boat Trinkka is loaded with modifications that are too numerous to go into here, but the best mod that I ever did, was to mount my winches and tracks on the combing and mount clam cleats directly in back of them. The O'Day people were nice enough to leave the winches and tracks off the cabin for me back in 1986 when they were building her. So I didn't have to fill in any holes on my cabin top. The clam cleats behind the winches are the thing, though. My friend Wayne had the same setup as you on his Seaward 22 and wanted to change it over to something else. So he went out last week and bought two clam cleats for his winches. I think that the clam cleats are far superior to those rubber things you can buy, that make your winches self tailing. I consider this to be my best mod on my boat.
Joe

 

[Steve L]

Cam Cleat is the way to go

I had the same issue on an O'Day 240. Finally looked at a small racing sailboat one day, saw the cam cleats and the light went on.

I used the ones that swivel vs. the linear ones in the previous post.

I'm getting ready to put one on the deck of my O'Day 302 to hold the roller furling line. Tying to the cleat -- and untying from the cleat is a pain.

Good luck.

 

[Lynn Ocean]

Appreciate Help

Thank you very much for giving me the suggestion about the swivel cleat, that sounds really appealing. Happy sails. It really is a pain when you are getting ready to come about, you are fiddling with untying the rope from the cleat when the boat is heeling, and then trying to get ready to jump over and tie off the next one.

Lynn

 

[Lynn Ocean]

To Joe and Trinkka

Joe,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post. Your modification on Trinkka looks very easy to use and easy for even single handling. It was great to have a picture of what you were talking about. The clam cleat would be very desireable over trying to tie off the jib sheet to the horn cleats that are all the way on top by the cabin door.

Lynn

 

[Larry]

Jib Cleats

I don't use the cam cleats on my 222. Never liked them on my Sunfish or Duster. Really don't find them of value. Prefer to either tie the sheets off for long runs or just hold sheets for constant attention. Where I sail there is cotinous traffic and I find it more prudent to maintain constant hands on control.

 

[Joe]

Cam cleats

Lynn,
Just take your time and decide what you want to use. I like the cam cleats on my mainsheet and boom vang, and I like the clam cleats behind my Gennie winches on the combing. I'm not sure whether clam cleats would work on your winches because they are mounted on the cabin and there is no room to mount them except on the bulkhead. You may be able to replace the horn cleats with two jam cleats, which look very similar to horn cleats but have a sharp V notch on one side of the cleat to lock the sheet in. You would pull your sheet up around the winch and take a wrap around the jam cleat and lock it in a V notch. Good luck with that.
Joe

 

[Rob]

Try Watski Winchers

I put a pair on for this season and I like them. I have pretty sticky jib sheets so I just need one or two wraps around the winch then I capture the sheet in the grove. Very quick on and off for tacking or adjustment. Other users have said they can dry out from years of UV so I also got winch covers. They are pretty cheap compared to other alternatives and NO drilling or cutting. WM has them and you may find them cheaper elsewhere.