dyneema slip in rope clutch

[simonfraser]

Hi,

my 250sq ft asymetric has a dyneema halyard on a rope clutch, it slips under load, the clutch seems to hold fine when i use non slippy conventional halyard, but this stretches.

so, should i change the clutch, to what ? or change the halyard, to what ?

many thanks for your sugestions

 

[npf1]

could you splice in some conventional line where it goes through the clutch?

 

[jerryat]

Hi Simon,

You don't say what make of clutch you are using, but a friend of mine who is using Spinlock had a similar problem and I believe changed the cam to one (larger size?) so that the effective aperture became smaller. Gripped his rope ok afterwards.

Unfortunately I can't confirm this definitely for you 'cos he's away at the moment, but I'm pretty sure this was his solution. Worth checking with your manufacturer first anyway!

Cheers Jerry

 

[sailorman]

i can see no advantage in dyneema being used with an asymetric sail

 

[bugs]

Some clutches have adjustment. If the diameter is slightly smaller , some adjustment may be required.
if its new and very shiney you could rub the outer cover with some sandpaper. This is sometimes done to sheets for improved handling, it might improve the clutch grip.

If the rope is old/worn (which I suspect has happened to my main) you could shorten it or swop it end for end.

I read recently (no doubt in one of the YBW magazines) about a new spray that is supposed to stop this from happening. I'll have a look at some recent editions when I get home.

 

[snowleopard]

if you have changed down to a smaller size of line the maximum grip of the clutch will be reduced. manufacturers publish tables to tell you how much load you can hold for a given size of line. the maximum grip is with the biggest size of line the clutch will take.

 

[simonfraser]

Hi bugs,

simple answer, i like the minor sandpaper "adjustment", i'll try that first, if you find out what the spray was, please let me know, thanks


p.s.
why dyneema on an asymetric?, the tighter the luff the hihger it points, and most importantly, when the luff is slack, especially after use, the furler does not work!

 

[dickh]

What make of clutch is it? In tests by PBO(Ithink a few years ago - the Lewmar came out best and held the largest load. It uses a different principle than the Spinlock and others. The clutch must also be sized to suit the rope.

 

[ecb]

we used this method with success....

cut a short length of outer cover off some braid and discard the core. slide the outer over the problem halyard's tail.... and slide it up to the area where it passes through the clutch, say 20 cm. Stitch it in with some whipping twine, splay out the strands of this new outer cover for a 1cm then use a fidd to pull the strands of it into the the outer so its all tucked away and tidy... have a practice on some old halyard first.

It'll save you having to change clutches and when it gets worn, all you have to do is replace the sacrificial outer.

Any good?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Agree! When we had this problem on our Sigma 33 we used to race, we stitched (at the advice of my local rigger who is a serious racer) an extra cover on the halyard where it went through the clutch. Dont just whip it at the ends, it needs to be stitched throughout its length.