[C320-list] Main Cleat upgrade?

[Pat Ireland]

Larry

Moving up to a larger boat is presenting a learning curve and optimizing
short handed sailing certainly has challenges.  So I appreciate your
comments and concerns.  Specificaly, thank you for sharing your experience
with the clutch.  That is a very enticing option, that appears to be a
suboptimal solution.

Pat, 801
On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 5:05 AM, Larry Frank <WindSwept at stx.rr.com> wrote:

> I have a couple of further considerations on this issues that haven't been
> brought up.
>
> I originally reeved my mainsheet through a rope clutch only to undo the
> change rather quickly.  I sometimes sail single handed and found that if
> the
> boat rounded up and I needed to dump the main to regain control this was
> impossible to do from the helm.  The one good thing about the clam cleat is
> that you can flip the mainsheet out of it from the helm in such a
> situation.
> I also have extra long traveler control lines now so I can adjust the
> traveler from the helm.  Anyone who sails single handed needs to be able to
> adjust the main from the helm and should keep this in mind when making
> changes.
>
> The second thought has to do with the loads placed on the mainsheet.
> Remember the highest and most dangerous load will occur during an
> accidental
> jibe.  The gear used to hold the mainsheet must be able to stand up to this
> sudden impact.  The ridges on the clam cleat pull the line down and hold it
> more securely when the load increases.  We only use the clam when we have
> to
> take the mainsheet off the winch to use the winch for some other task and
> then put the mainsheet back on the winch so it will be available to adjust
> mainsail trim.
>
> I am not saying a cam cleat is a bad thing, in fact it might work very well
> if sized and mounted properly.
>
> Larry
> WindSwept Catalina 320 #246
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>  [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Pat Ireland
> Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 2:58 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Main Cleat upgrade?
>
> Dennie
>
> Certainly understand your issue with winching against a CAM, but it's not a
> concer since our main is rigged single ended.  The Harken 280 has a safe
> working load of 500#s.  That's what I bought for this project, but I'm
> beginning to question the concept.
>
> Your dual approach - one light and one heavy air - may be the solution.
> Abit more research is definitely required here.
>
> Thank you for your help
>
> Pat, 801
>
> On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 6:03 AM, Denny Browne
> <dennybrowne at verizon.net>wrote:
>
> > Garhauer is a great manufacturer, aren't they?
> >
> > Re the cam cleat: I thought it was a Ronstan, because that's what
> Garhauer
> > uses, but I actually used the Harken 280 cleat. This is Harken's highest
> > load rated offshore cam cleat. I can't find the load rating, though, and
> my
> > browser isn't working for some reason. It's certainly less than the 6,000
> > pound breaking strength on the line though. With the mainsheet system on
> > our
> > boats, I don't believe you can pull the main in hard enough without the
> > winch. Not enough purchase and awkward angle. Despite the size of the
> > cleat,
> > I was uncomfortable winching one end and leaving the other in a cam
> cleat.
> >
> > I had a rigger through bolt mine. He backed the bolts with a modest
> washer,
> > a lock washer, a nut and a cap nut. Be sure to squirt some silicone
> sealant
> > into the hole and it won't leak.
> >
> > DENNY BROWNE
> > A Cappella #935
> > Redondo Beach
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Chris
> Burti
> >  Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7:51 PM
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Main Cleat upgrade?
> >
> > Which catalogue? I just changed out my main halyard clutch and would like
> > to
> > complete the work in that area. FYI Garhauer replaced the clutch without
> > charge as it failed within the 10 year warranty period. Kudos to Garhauer
> > customer service.
> >
> > On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 5:00 PM, Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > > Chris
> > >
> > > My catalog shows an angled spacer that looks like it might fit.
> >  Certainly
> > > would improve the access.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Pat, 801
> > >
> > > On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 1:55 PM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Initially, when the line is new, it will usually pull itself in,
> after
> > > time
> > > > as the line stiffens, it is not as effective. I think that adding a
> > > tapered
> > > > spacer that would raise the cleat and angle the aft side upward would
> > > > improve the lead of the line and the effectiveness of the cleat.
> > > >
> > > > On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 4:43 PM, Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Chris
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for the line size suggestion.  It's a subtle solution, that
> I
> > > had
> > > > > not
> > > > > considered.  Does the smaller line still require pushing down or
> does
> > > > > the JAM cleat pull it down as you release tension?
> > > > >
> > > > > Dennie
> > > > > I like the cabin top concept, but was trying to locate the CAM on
> the
> > > > > original threaded plate so a through bolt install would not be
> > > required.
> > > > >  Do
> > > > > you know what the load rating is for the Ronstat CAM?  Or the
> > > difference
> > > > in
> > > > > main sheet load going from down wind to hard on the wind?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you both for your information.  I appreciate the help.
> > > > >
> > > > > Pat, 801
> > > > > On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 12:54 PM, Denny Browne <
> > > dennybrowne at verizon.net
> > > > > >wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > We have the double ended mainsheet on Hull #935, which I find to
> be
> > > > much
> > > > > > better than the single ended sheet on my previous boat, Hull
> #244.
> > > The
> > > > > main
> > > > > > can be sheeted from the windward side on either tack.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I installed a cam cleat at the rear edge of the cabintop on each
> > > side,
> > > > > that
> > > > > > works great when off the wind and when putting the boat away for
> > the
> > > > > night.
> > > > > > Although it's the biggest cam cleat Ronstan makes, I still don't
> > > > believe
> > > > > > it's stout enough to handle the load when sailing upwind, so I
> > return
> > > > > both
> > > > > > ends to the cabintop winches when heading up. The jam cleat works
> > > fine
> > > > on
> > > > > > either side if I need to use the cabintop winch for the spin
> > halyard.
> > > I
> > > > > > have
> > > > > > downsized to 10mm Spect-set II (no longer available, but any 3/8"
> > > > spectra
> > > > > > core line would be fine for the main).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > DENNY BROWNE
> > > > > > A Cappella #935
> > > > > > Redondo Beach
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > > > > > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
> > Chris
> > > > > Burti
> > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:41 AM
> > > > > > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > > > > >  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Main Cleat upgrade?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Consider replacing the main sheet first...and also consider going
> > > down
> > > > > 1/16
> > > > > > in size. Dacron DB tends to get fatter and stiffer with exposure.
> a
> > > new
> > > > > > line
> > > > > > will fit and hold in the jam cleat better and a smaller one will
> > fit
> > > > > > longer.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On Tue, May 11, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Pat Ireland <
> cherie320 at gmail.com>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > All
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Has anyone worked out an alternative configuration for cleating
> > the
> > > > > main
> > > > > > > sheet on the cabin top?  I've read the threads with comments
> that
> > > > > support
> > > > > > > continued use of the OEM JAM cleat, but after several outings
> we
> > > are
> > > > > > still
> > > > > > > not satisfied with that method.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I would like to install a CAM in close proximity to the
> traveler
> > > CAM,
> > > > > but
> > > > > > > the clearance and lead is a challenge.   If you have developed
> an
> > > > > > approach
> > > > > > > that works, where did you locate it?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Alternatively, does a line stopper function correctly or is
> there
> > a
> > > > > > > tendency
> > > > > > > for the sheet to jam on an emergency release?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Appreciate your input and experience.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Pat, 801
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Chris Burti Farmville, NC
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Chris Burti Farmville, NC
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Chris Burti Farmville, NC
> >
> >
> >
>
>