[C320-list] Adding a line clutch on the Catalina 320.

[P.F. Ross]

Lou, I just added an additional clutch to each side of my #206 in May
(which makes four on port side, three on starboard side).  I am not near my
boat now but this is how I best remember doing it.  Yes, I know I should
have documented it better to share with all, but will do that next project
(and there are many to come!).

I talked to Garhauer and bought two of their 11-11S (IIRC) rope clutches.
While they are not identical to the existing (slightly different handle
shape and black handle color, looks like larger line capacity but still
fits my smallest lines), they bolted right up.  Garhauer will send the
appropriate length through bolts when you tell them the number of units to
be ganged together.

I looked at the pads that the existing clutches were mounted on and
determined what sizes I would need in order to add an additional clutch to
each side.  I figured 6-3/8" square for the starboard side and 5-5/8" x
6-3/8" for the port side, however measure yourself to make sure!.
Starboard side is larger to fit the mainsheet cleat, even though there are
only three rope clutches on that side.

I ordered 3/4" Starboard material from boatoutfitters.com in the above
sizes with a 3/16" radius on one side in their "Glacier Gray".  Not quite
as dark gray as original, almost a dirty white, but still good.  Also, the
original pads had a "pyramidal" slope to the sides (with no top radius)
while my new pads were straight sides (but with a radius at top).  Looks
great!!

Also, I was very impressed with boatoutfitters.com price, delivery and
workmanship on these Starboard pieces.

I then set to removing the existing clutches and pads.  As stated above by
Chris Burti, there is an embedded aluminum plate under the cabin top with
tapped holes that the clutches screw in to.  All clutch mounting screws
came out without any problem.  After removing everything, I cleaned up the
cabin top using mineral spirits to remove what appeared to be a butyl
sealant under the pad and around through holes.

I then test fit the pads to the cabin top and tried to figure out where the
clutch mounting screws would go through.  This was perhaps the most
difficult part of the project.  I could see that it was difficult for
Catalina as well, since the holes in their original pads had mostly been
enlarged in one fashion or another.  So it was for me; after I thought I
knew where the through holes would go, I ended up enlarging many of them in
order to get everything to tighten down smoothly.  However this is not
really a problem since the pad is securely held down to the cabin top by
the force provided by the several clutch mounting screws.

On the port side, I found that the new outboard clutch mounting screw holes
missed the outside edge of the embedded aluminum plate.  I simply drilled
all the way through the cabin top and used some acorn nuts and large
washers over the end of the screws.  I am not completely satisfied with
this since the two acorn nuts are close over my head while I stand at the
stove.  I will find or fabricate a lower profile fastener when I return to
my boat.

On the starboard side, I found that the embedded aluminum plate extended
far enough outboard that I was able to tap into it, I believe 1/4-20 but
this is from memory so verify yourself.

For final assembly, I used butyl tape to seal everything.

Hope this helps. I will add a couple of pics of the finished project later
today once I figure out how to do it.

Regards,

Frank Ross
"Beta Wave" #206
Naples, FL


On Tue, Aug 8, 2017 at 10:43 AM, Denny Browne <denny.browne at me.com> wrote:

> You may want to consider a large captive cam cleat for one handed vang
> operation. Place it as far aft on the cabin top as possible so the line
> doesn't rub a furrow in the aft edge of the cabin top.
>
> Denny Browne
> Denny.Browne at iCloud.com
> 310-408-9591
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Aug 8, 2017, at 8:20 AM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > There is an aluminum plate laminated in the coach top where the others
> are
> > located. you can buy matching clutches from Garhauer then drill to depth
> > and tap. take pictures and submit and article.
> >
> > Chris Burti
> > Farmville, NC
> >
> >
> >> On Tue, Aug 8, 2017 at 11:14 AM, Louis spitz <aronella at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> I want to add a clutch for the vang on my 1995 C320, but all 6 are
> already
> >> in service. I can't see the best way of doing this, as the headliner
> does
> >> not have access openings. Any suggestions?
> >> Thanks.
> >> Lou Spitz
> >> Merry Chase #195
>