Mast Fastenings

[Biffa_Clark]

I have both my main & jib halyard at the mast and only a single winch. To make life easier I was thinking about fastening a couple of rope clutches onto the mast so that I could lead the halyards through them. Anyone done anything similar and if so how? Can I pop rivet them on?

 

[oldsaltoz]

G’day Biffa.
We use the standard ‘V’ cleats; they are pop riveted to the mast in line with the halyard. When pulled on you simply push the halyard into the cleat, this will hold it until you secure it on the cleat.
Clam cleats may be prone to slippage in this application, have not tried them on halyards, perhaps another reader has and may be able to advise. Hope this helps.

Soavagoodweekend Old Salt Oz……

 

[JimMcMillan]

Yes,I have done this with my spinnaker hallyard and intend putting one genoa hallyard beside it(the other for racing gen.goes to cockpit)but I fitted a low top hat section pop riveted to mast with clutch fitted to that then at least it is removable.Be sure to fit clutch that is man enough for the job.

 

[dickh]

Don't use Clam Cleats - I found they slip - particularly with braided halliards, and on at least two occasions dropped out completely and my jib fell down! Use a proper clutch amd pop rivet to mast with MONEL rivets, or through bolt them with a backing plate(assuming you can get to inside the mast) do use the special paste to avoid corrosion between stainless steel and aluminium. Another way is to fit them to an aluminium bridging plate, as many mast winches are, and then pop rivet this plate to the mast - on reflection this is probably the best idea as you can then bolt the clutches the plate and see all the fasteners. I suggest Lewmar clutches as I consider them the best - they came out top in a test a couple of years back - the only possible difficulty is threading the rope through as they have a concertina arrangement for locking the rope.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

On my 37 footer the arrangement you suggest is standard. It gives me no problems at all and I rather like it. Use Lewmar and make sure the cleat is the right size for the rope. This is often the problem, the cleat is oversize so the rope slips. If you decide to screw, as oppsed to pop rivet, do not forget to put the cut the point off the screw so it does not snag or damage other ropes, etc. in the mast.

Chris Stannard