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

[P.F. Ross]

Lou, added "Frank and Wendy Ross's Album" to owners gallery and have a
couple of pics of finished installation.

Frank

On Tue, Aug 8, 2017 at 11:16 AM, P.F. Ross <pfrstl at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>
>
>