IrlSail
New Member
Hi, i need to put a cleat onto my boom to hold the reef lines, is there any cleats that would be particularly suited for this? Having never done riveting before any hints/tips would be appreciated
Rivet a cleat onto a boom
- Thread starter IrlSail
- Start date
30boat
N/A
Tricky because you'll need a cleat that's not too thick around the fixing holes .On my mast there is one that is shaped like a wide "V" that is very thin in the middle where the rivets go. I think it will be easier if you drill and tap the boom and then machine screw the cleat in place.It's just as strong and only a little more work.
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
What size boat do you have? The loads on reefing lines can be pretty big and the sail area will determine whether a riveted cleat will be adequate. Cleats should be fixed so that the load is taken lengthwise, not sideways so bear in mind that if the cleat has to be fitted to the side of the boom (and parallel with it) the reefing line will exert powerful leverage on the rivets. In general, you will need to use monel rivets, and a powerful rivet gun to close them.
IrlSail
New Member
I sail a GK 24, current setup V-blocks on the boom which just does not work - always slips.
Would an option be to place both cleats on the either side of the boom directly opposite eachother and then use a long bolt to fasten the two cleats together through the boom?
Other options?
Would an option be to place both cleats on the either side of the boom directly opposite eachother and then use a long bolt to fasten the two cleats together through the boom?
Other options?
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
I do not think that bolting through the boom is a good idea, as it will impose a crushing load, and may interfere with lines inside the boom. Can you post a photo to give people an idea of the size of your boom, and its cross section? Does it have a track on the underside to take reef fixings with one end of the reefing line attached?
P.S. Have you asked the GK24 owners association what other owners have done?
P.S. Have you asked the GK24 owners association what other owners have done?
Kylora
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I sail a GK 24, current setup V-blocks on the boom which just does not work - always slips.
[/ QUOTE ]
Keep the vee blocks and fit cleats in front of them. The pressure caused by the tails being held by the cleat will make the vee block more effective ( just like tailing a winch ). The majority of the load will be taken by the vee block.
I have this setup on my 27' Vega, and the cleats are plastic and cope fine.
Ash
I sail a GK 24, current setup V-blocks on the boom which just does not work - always slips.
[/ QUOTE ]
Keep the vee blocks and fit cleats in front of them. The pressure caused by the tails being held by the cleat will make the vee block more effective ( just like tailing a winch ). The majority of the load will be taken by the vee block.
I have this setup on my 27' Vega, and the cleats are plastic and cope fine.
Ash
lw395
Well-Known Member
I think even on a small boat like the GK, you need to get some mechanical advantage to get proper tension in the foot of the sail when reefed.
Taking the reef lines dow to stoppers on the deck may be best? Then a halyard winch can be used to tension.
On bigger boats, rope clutches in the front of the boom work well.
Taking the reef lines dow to stoppers on the deck may be best? Then a halyard winch can be used to tension.
On bigger boats, rope clutches in the front of the boom work well.
William_H
Well-Known Member
To my mind the best and cheapest cleats are plastic horn cleats that come in various sizes. Unfortunately the ones I am familiar with need a pop rivet with a length of more than 15mm becuae the plastic body is quite thick. The best way to attach these is to use a metal thread with a tapped hole or self tapper screws.
However far better is to lead the reefing line down to the deck and back to the halyard winches. good lcuk olewill
However far better is to lead the reefing line down to the deck and back to the halyard winches. good lcuk olewill
IrlSail
New Member
Don't have any photo's, there is a track on the underside, the v-block for outhaul is there, what do you mean by
"Does it have a track on the underside to take reef fixings with one end of the reefing line attached?"
"Does it have a track on the underside to take reef fixings with one end of the reefing line attached?"
geoffatstanpit
Well-Known Member
I had a Seal Sinbad with Proctor boom. The vertical jammers always slipped. I solved the problem by tying a knot in each reefing pennant at just the right place. There was just enough distance between the cheek blocks on the boom and the cleats that the knots didn't have to go through the blocks.
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
What I meant by my question, was that if there is a track there to take the reefing fittings then it is the obvious place to add any further fittings you need. Given that your boat seems to have a pretty active owners association I think that you should be asking there. Surely other owners have solved the same problem, and can give you the benefit of their experience. Even on a 24 footer I can see an advantage in being able to pull in the reefs through clutches, and even of being able to use a winch to get them tight enough.
