Main Halyard Rope Clutch Slippage

[canavap]

My 3 year old main halyard (3/8" Sta-Set) slips in my rope clutch. Has anyone had this problem? I am thinking about replacing the line with new 3/8" line (those are the specs from Catalina) but I'm afraid it will just start slipping again. Has anyone switched to 7/16" line and, if so, were there any problems with the line fitting into the sheeves?

Alternatively, is there something I can do to adjust the rope clutch?

As always, your help is much appreciated.
Patrick

 

[Stu Jackson]

What clutch (sheetstopper) do you have? If it's Garhauer, call Guido or Bill.

 

[fox islander]

Mine does it also....not much, about 2-3 inches, but enough to annoy...and thats with new line. Stu is right, Garhauer can rebuild these and they are fast and inexpensive too.

 

[Stephen K]

The answer is not new line or a larger size.

To correct the problem you need a new "spring lever" in your clutch. If its a single clutch, this lever is probably rivited in, so you will send it to Garhauer and they will replace for a nominal charge...if its a "gang" clutch with bolts holding the clutches together, you can order the spring assembly and replace it yourself. Call Garhauer and discuss it with them. I replaced my spring assemblies about a year ago and they don't slip 1/8"...the new ones are much stronger and I think it was approx. $20 each.