Leech line cleat/jammer recommendations?

[cliveshelton]

It's time to launder and repair sails. Our main (quantum) has a pathetic plastic jammer which never holds unless we use a stopper knot. That means adjustment is not always possible (especially in a blow). What does anyone recommend that ask the sailmaker to fit instead. Any links gratefully received. Thanks as always.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

It depends how the line exits from the sail .If its on the leech edge you are stuck with the split plastic type .If it exits on the side, an ally side mount cleat is available .Clam cleat do a few varieties that need riveting on.
Cindy

 

[savageseadog]

Yes, those plastic cleats are awful. The best way is to use a large velcro patch which goes onto the complementary patch stitched onto the sail. You can also use a couple of eyes and make the line off on them.

 

[knuterikt]

We have these http://www.rutgerson.se/default.asp?ID=10&ShowProduct=838&ChildTo=&Group=168 in aluminium, works fine.

I have also used (not on my boat) a design with Velcro and some flaps of sail cloth

 

[William_H]

The velcro piece on the cord double sided to go between two flaps of velcro is very good holding. Or you can go for just one sided not so good. However the double sided can be fiddly to part, adjust and reset. Single sided much easier of course.
However the velcro thing has limited range limited by the lengthof velcro to attach to.
Alternatives I have seen are 2 eyelets and the cord threaded around a few times with a knot holds well not easy to adjust.
I woud suggest that you add another plastic side jamb cleat in series with the existing one for double the holding and not too much modification. Easy to adjust.
good luck olewill

 

[bryeomans]

Here's a thought for you - our mainsails from P&K/Quantum/One sails(for the past 20 years and much of them for offshore racing) have all had the leach line fixed at the clew but led up to a small turning block at the headboard and then back down the luff through separate metal side mounted cleats just above each reef point. Once set have never come out, probably because load at the cleat is lowered by all the frictional losses. Tension applied on reefing automatically releases when the next cleat down is loaded permitting individual adjustment for each reef position. The very considerable advantage is that adjustment is done at the mast, not at the end of the boom as it thrashes about or while hanging in mid air with the boat on its side, trying to hold on to the boom.

Helpful??

 

[Martin_J]

Clamcleats make a range of leech line cleats...

Check out CL267 for one that fits the very edge of the sail and has an aluminium insert...

http://www.clamcleat.com/uploads/cleat_information_pdfs/Sail-Cleats-range.pdf

... otherwise just use one of their port or starboard aluminium cleats..

Perhaps your leech line has just gone thin at that the point where it usually cleats - If so then you could sleeve it with an extra layer of braid just sewn over the top where it would run through the cleat...