Main halyard clutch won't stay open

[cpedw]

This Easylock Midi clutch (12mm main halyard) is prone to jamming itself when I'm at the mast (the clutch is at the cockpit) pulling the sail down. I think a loop of the halyard gets under the lever and pushes it up enough to jam. Then I have to return to the cockpit with the sail part lowered to release the clutch then back to the mast to continue the lowering.
Do you have any tips that might prevent this? Perhaps a clip or a weight to keep the lever in place?

 

[KevinV]

I don't know those particular clutches, and as it's not a new installation it has obviously functioned for years - but I have never seen clutches that way round?

 

[johnalison]

I don't know those particular clutches, and as it's not a new installation it has obviously functioned for years - but I have never seen clutches that way round?

Our Lewmar clutches are that way round. Now 25 years old they don’t work as smoothly as before. I would be thinking of getting new clutches, which may be a lot better anyway.

 

[KevinV]

Our Lewmar clutches are that way round. Now 25 years old they don’t work as smoothly as before. I would be thinking of getting new clutches, which may be a lot better anyway.

Interesting - don't you very easily knock them on? Or a loop of rope do so?

 

[Daydream believer]

..

 

[cpedw]

So with the clutch that way round how do you half lock them when working a rope? ie still keep pressure on, but be able to pull through without the rope running out when you ease off, to change grip, or change stance, as boat rolls, as you hoist?
Also when dropping a spinnaker etc. how do you do a controlled drop by setting the clutch so it is slipping as the kite drops?
I get the feeling that your set up is either full on or full off as it is back to front

It never occurred that it could be back to front. It was that way when I bought the boat in 2016, and looks to have been so since 2001, when it was built.

The clutch allows further tightening when it's on so it seems to me like it's the right way round. I have done a quick search but can't find a spec that shows which way round to use it.

I don't go near spinnakers so that's not an issue but to ease a halyard, I put turns on the winch before releasing the clutch, then easing on the winch then jamming the clutch again.

 

[KevinV]

The clutch allows further tightening when it's on so it seems to me like it's the right way round

A bit of googling confirms that you are (of course) right - I've never seen them this way round, learn something every day



I guess the only thing to do is to try to reintroduce some friction into the lever joint so it isn't so easily knocked?

 

[Mistroma]

Ours are Spinlock and look very similar apart from the orientation. Lifting the lever to the open position shown in your picture takes pressure off the cam and the rope will run with slight friction. That's with the lever in the same position as your picture. However, a further firm push moves the lever completely down and parallel with the deck. The cam is then locked fully open.

I would have guessed yours would do the same if it wasn't for the fact it's meant to be installed 180 degrees from ours. A 2 stage unlock makes sense. I wonder if yours also has that but something either stops it engaging or or the mechanism no longer clicks and holds

 

[thinwater]

Looks right way to me (from manual, below). Some, such as Lewmar, are other way. I have one set of Easylocks (older), and the lever goes forward. They work half lock if the lever is up the right amount.


The OP just needs to flake the rope more carefully. That is the answer. If a loop is coming up ANY clutch will jam.