Rope Clutch Failure.

[DJE]

Used the 2nd reef for the first time this season on Saturday and one of the rope clutches wouldn't hold. It was fine last time it was used (sometime last season) and it isn't just slipping a little, but won't hold any load at all. No drama - we just swapped the line with the spinaker halyard which we weren't going to be using in 2nd reef conditions! One of this type of Barton fittings:-

Possibly original and 20+ years old and miraculously a single clutch not part of a block of two or three - so relatively cheap to replace. But it just seems odd that it failed so suddenly and completely. Cleaning and lubricating it after the race caused no improvement. Anybody else have any experience of this?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Did someone nick a bit of the innards as a spare part during the winter?

 

[prv]

Did you look at why it wasn't gripping? I've known the "jaw" inside that type of clutch to get stuck in the up position, just needs a poke with a finger and it drops down onto the rope.

Pete

 

[Bobc]

Take it apart and clean it. It's probably the spring rod not turning freely in the jaw

 

[DJE]

Take it apart and clean it. It's probably the spring rod not turning freely in the jaw

Trouble is they are rivetted together. I could drill the heads off the rivets but I don't know how I could put it back together again. Quite keen to have a look inside just out of curiosity though. I think the rivets put paid to TK's theory.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I think the rivets put paid to TK's theory.

Shot down in flames once again. Where can I buy asbestos buttocks?

 

[Fantasie 19]

Possibly original and 20+ years old and miraculously a single clutch not part of a block of two or three - so relatively cheap to replace.

£44 plus the usuals for a replacement so not cheap?? You can buy servicing kits for the new one's, so I think TK was kind of right, except for the age of your kit...

B.t.w - I've been watching for a second hand double for ages as there's no way I can spend a hundred smackers on new - that's a tenth of what the boat cost..

 

[john_morris_uk]

Regrettably its extremely rare for clutches (that are any good) to come up on the second hand market and this is one area where quality (and therefore money) does make a difference.

We had some trouble with the clutches on one side of our companionway and when I did the research I found that that original clutches were never spec'd for our boat size in the first place.

Two new sets of Spinlock clutches a size up has solved all problems but I agree that they are not cheap. (A single Spinlock seems to be about £60 and a triple is £161)

 

[Daydream believer]

I have 4 lines but had only room for 2 extra cleats. Not all lines need to be used at the same time so i use 2 of the largest clam cleats ( purchased years ago for £3-50 each so no idea of price now) & i can swop ropes as required. Main load bearing lines still go through Spinlocks though

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Is it actually the clutch, or the reefing line getting worn by being in the clutch at the very same position every time you use it ?

 

[Twister_Ken]

A tip, maybe?

Needed to replace two Lewmar jammers on the old boat. Was in NYC on a trip and went into West Marine. They wanted less in dollars for Spinlocks than a UK chandler wanted in pounds, so a pair came back in the suitcase. Daft thing is, they were made in Cowes, 5 miles from the mooring, but it was cheaper to buy them 3000 miles away. International trade, eh? You know it makes sense.

 

[DJE]

Is it actually the clutch, or the reefing line getting worn by being in the clutch at the very same position every time you use it ?

It's the clutch. I've tried it on several different ropes on the boat and at home and it won't grip any of them. There is visible wear on the teeth too.

I think it will have to be a new one. Then I'll have to drill out the revits and see how it works.

 

[KREW2]

Trouble is they are rivetted together. I could drill the heads off the rivets but I don't know how I could put it back together again. Quite keen to have a look inside just out of curiosity though. I think the rivets put paid to TK's theory.

I removed a middle one from a bank of 4, to replace a broken handle, a spare part which is still available for a 21 year old clutch.
As far as I can remember, what looks like a rivet actually punches out.
Sorry just looked at the piccie of yours again and it is different.

 

[webcraft]

Did you look at why it wasn't gripping? I've known the "jaw" inside that type of clutch to get stuck in the up position, just needs a poke with a finger and it drops down onto the rope.

Pete

+1 - has happened more than once on Fairwinds.

- W

 

[chrisclin]

I removed a middle one from a bank of 4, to replace a broken handle, a spare part which is still available for a 21 year old clutch.
As far as I can remember, what looks like a rivet actually punches out.
Sorry just looked at the piccie of yours again and it is different.

I found out mine punched out by phoning Spinlock. Very helpful! I would suggest you phone and ask (mine was 20 years old but they were quite happy to provide advice)

 

[Daydream believer]

I found out mine punched out by phoning Spinlock. Very helpful! I would suggest you phone and ask (mine was 20 years old but they were quite happy to provide advice)

For a Barton!!

 

[chrisclin]

For a Barton!!

Oops - for spinlock ead Barton. Actually, I'm not too sure who I spoke to. The number was given to me y Trafalgar who supplied the part but didn't know hw to fit it.

 

[Daydream believer]

Oops - for spinlock ead Barton. Actually, I'm not too sure who I spoke to. The number was given to me y Trafalgar who supplied the part but didn't know hw to fit it.

I think we have grounds for a wind up here!!!

 

[Blueboatman]

I was warned when bringing all the lines back to the cockpit to not be mean with either rope size nor jammer.

In addition may I suggest (as I have done) a simple cleat or two in addition to self tailing winches, you now have multiple ways to secure critical lines if and when needed unexpectedly?