Which Jam Cleat for Mast

[Jane]

To help raise the sail when singlehandling; someone previously suggested raise the mainsail from the mast and by installing a $5 jam cleat on the mast, the cleat could hold the halyard temporarily as you return to the cockpit to take up the slack. The halyard would pop out of the jam cleat when you used the wench to take up the last few inches...What kind of jam cleat specifically do I use? And where exactly is it mounted on the mast(so that it pops out)?Thanks for the help,Jane

 

[Paul]

Clamcleat

"Clamcleat" is a copyrighted brand name. Some manufacturers call them V-cleats.Some Hunter models have them located on the cabintop near the winches, to hold the jib sheets if you need the winch for something else.I just put one on my mast this weekend, but it cost $21, not $5. I haven't tried it out yet (it started raining just as I was finishing up the installation) but I mounted it just off line from the halyard, about halfway between the mast gate and the turning block on the collar.I'm hoping that the off-line location will allow it to pop loose when I pull it. If not, then I'll just go back up after I have the halyard loaded and tight on the winch, and pop it out by hand.Paulsv Escape Artisth336

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

My post

I believe you're responding to my post of some months ago. Suggest mounting the cleat vertically and chest-high. As to size, it should fit 100% in and resemble the same size used on the deck. This is the single greatest device for singlehanded sailing, since it gives you plenty of time to back to the well.