Rope Clutches / Cleats

Jonny_H

Jonny_H

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We have some 'V cleat' open top cleats for use on our roller furling system at the moment - the trouble is they aren't very sharp anymore and it is easy to knock them out of the cleat as they are open topped:

RF5100.jpg


We were therefore thinking of replacing them (genoa and staysail) with proper rope clutches (Spinlock or simalar). The only trouble is our furling systems are by Sailspar and use a continuous line instead of a single line. This means that to fit a proper clutch we would need to cut the continuous line and get it respliced. Now, I don't want to sound lazy, but we've replaced the line and had it professionally spliced so don't really want to cut it and have it respliced again (I would normally splice it myself, but as it could have tremendous loads on it I would rather it be done properly). Therefore, does anyone know of a rope clutch you can fit to a continuous line without cutting it? I have been looking at buying a Spinlock, dismantling it to fit it and put it back together, but there are still some parts that you can't 'split' completely.

A strange request I know - but any ideas??

Jonny
 
We have the same continuous line system and use a horn type cleat and just make it off on that, for the reason you find that it could jump out of a jam cleat. But I think it's spinlock that do a jam cleat with an arch to stop things jumping out so easily, they claim it is made with the same profile of holes as standard jam cleats.
 
Mine is through a cam cleat but it does have a loop that it goes through first so that leaves you with the same problem.
I had to redo the splice for the first couple of times i tok the mast down. The splice is not too difficult. It is called the Fleet splice. It will involve losing about a foot of the line to redo it.
Unfortunately I cant find any instructions on the web for the splice. I do have them on paper but that doesn't help you now.
 
Thanks guys

As it happens I should have waited a little before posting! I emailed Spinlock and they're XAS clutches have a variation called the XAS/M:

[ QUOTE ]
CONTINUOUS LINE XAS/M
Solves the problem of loading a continuous furling line. These clutches are supplied as
kits with open bullseyes to be assembled directly onto the line.
XAS0612/1M, XAS0612/2M, XAS0612/3M

3.jpg




[/ QUOTE ]
Looks perfect for the job - we can assemble the cleat around the line - only trouble now £55 each - ouch!!

Jonny
 
I only found the XTS/M listed on the spinlock website as being made for continuous lines. It takes up to 14mm rope, but I guess you have to be careful to make sure that the splice does not have to pass through it.
 
Try Dingy Cleats .. Two Jaws and just pull your rope through them .. Spring loaded .. Quick release .. You can put a captive piece over the jaws to stop the rope moving to far away or just use it as you are now .. Come in all sizes .. Harken springs to mind .. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Yes - did 15 years dinghy sailing so am very familiar with the "cam" cleats.

I had thought of those too, but ropes can easily re-cleat in these whereas a clutch system gives a definate 'off' that won't recleat.

Harken cam cleats of a suitable size wouldn't be much cheaper than the Spinlock I don't think.

Jonny
 
I had this problem a few years ago when I wanted to fit a clutch to my Sailspar endless rope. Rutgerson make a unit which can be assembled around the line. I discovered it by accident when I went into Fox's at Ipswich and the Rutgerson rep was demonstrating it to the staff - so I promptly bought it! No problem with the splice.
 
I would advocate the horn cleat, much cheaper, very positive and kind to the rope. That is unless you need a winch to pull in the reefing line in which case if it is a dedicated winch still use a horn cleat. If you need to clear the winch then yes a clutch. olewill
 
Definitely NOT a horn cleat, once you stop hauling in and then try and wrap it round a cleat, it will inevitable slip - been there & done that(which is why I bought the Rutgerson clutch, it being the only one at the time that you could fit onto an endless line) - with a clutch, you just haul in the line and thats it - dead easy. Originally I also had a normal cleat which is why I was looking for a clutch that you could could fit around an endless line. I've even fitted a Lewmar clutch(the best on test and kindest to rope) on my current boats reefing gear even though it's not an endless line. Much easier and quicker all round. Once you've used a clutch in this situation you won't go back to a cleat!
 
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