Clamcleat alternatives?

[NealB]

Can you tell me what advantage you will gain by using such a cleat over the tugman's hitch?

The hitch is just as quick to make, and release, as the cleat, plus it costs nothing, takes up no space, it's at least as secure, and it requires no fixings or holes.

Downsides? I can't think of any!

 

[damo]

[ QUOTE ]
Can you tell me what advantage you will gain by using such a cleat over the tugman's hitch?

[/ QUOTE ]

When singlehanded and ready to tack, I slip a couple of wraps off the drum and lead the lazy end round the back of the cleat, so I can hold it while at the wheel (the cleat adds friction). I can then go through the wind and flick it off the cleat, the sheet runs out off the drum, and I can haul in the other sheet. All without leaving the wheel to attend to the winch drum. I would find it much harder if I had to slip off a hitch, then unslip the wraps on the drum.

That's not to say that your suggestion has no merit (I like the idea of it on minimalist principles /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ), but it would cause me difficulty the way I usually sail.

 

[NealB]

I do pretty much the same as you do, but don't see the need to keep a turn round the cleat. Even on quite large boats, it's easy enough to hold a genoa sheet with enough turns round the winch, so....

In preparing to tack, I slip the 'reverse' turn off the winch, plus a few 'normal' turns (to suit wind strength), hold the sheet-end, then let it run as she comes through the wind.

As I said before, it works a treat...honest!!