Rope clutches

[underdog]

I need to replace the rope clutches on my boat as the 30 year old original ones are becoming unreliable. The main sail and genoa are both c. 21 sq m, so not huge loads.Halliard size 8-10mm.
I need to replace both sets of triple clutches. The choice within my price range seems to be
Barton 80502, Spinlock XAS, or LewmarDI
Has any one experience of these models and if so which is recommended

 

[sailorbaz]

Good question - I have been looking at the same 3 makers. My boat which I bought this year has clam cleats backed up by horn cleats to hold all the halyards.
I did a search and saw on a US forum that Spinlock have a reputation for chewing up rope.
Looking forward to replies to see if this is true.
Sailorbaz

 

[Interlude]

I have never had a problem with Spinlock chewing up the lines. My beef with them is that they come in two sizes only, not adjustable, and with a variety of line sizes they can be somewhat difficult to release, noting that the destructions DO say to tension the lines with the winch to release.

 

[Graham_Wright]

My vote is for Lewmar. Very clever rope friendly design.

 

[Seajet]

I have XAS's, very happy with them, able to release easily under the tension I put on them inc foresail halliard and no sign of chewing lines.

 

[bert49uk]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180594144949?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 these seam quite resonable

 

[John the kiwi]

+1 for Lewmar

I have Lewmar for 6-8 mm and also 8-10 mm

I like the way they don't chew ropes, and can be released gently under load.
I haven't had one slip yet.

I mounted 2 sets of doubles on each side as i didn't like the triples. Seemed awkward to get to the centre one and having a bit of separation between each pair works for me.
I bought mine from http://shop.trailersailor.com and delivered cost was half the price of local (New Zealand) chandlers.

 

[PeteCooper]

Depending on what clutches you have now you may be able to get a rebuild kit rather than replacing the whole clutch.

 

[Stork_III]

My vote is for Lewmar. Very clever rope friendly design.

+1, I have mainly Lewmar, very rope kindly. The spinlock on my furler is much more aggressive on the rope. No experience of Barton.

 

[Wunja]

I had Barton clutches. Lasted about three years. No obvious signs of wear when dismantled, but still allows the lines to slip through them. Replaced the worst one with Spinlock XAS at the start of the year, no problems yet and the hole spacing is the same.

 

[BobnLesley]

We bought two sets of twin-rope Bartons via ebay auctions listed by Pacermarine (the ebay link above) last winter and are well chuffed with them; they replaced worn out Spinlocks and as noted earlier, the bolt centres were an exact match.

 

[charles_reed]

I've used all three mentioned (and Rutgerson).

Of all the Lewmar with their ring design have been best for holding and for least rope chewing.

Least satisfactory have been the Bartons and the Rutgersons.

One point - all but the Lewmar will handle a variety of different rope sizes - the Lewmar will only do 8-10 and 12-14. On the larger of the 2 sizes feeding the rope through is extremely challenging.

 

[duncan99210]

We've got Rutgerson and XAS. The XAS is easier to open under tension but otherwise not much to choose between them.

 

[2copplane]

The Lewmar design is very clever and releases easily under load - gets my vote.

 

[Blueboatman]

You ( one) can always leave the jammer-fed rope tail on the selftailing winch, and or fit a horn cleat(s) behind..

 

[GrahamM376]

We've got Rutgerson and XAS. The XAS is easier to open under tension but otherwise not much to choose between them.

+1

 

[underdog]

Many thanks for all your replies on the subject. The option of refurbishment does not appear to be possible as the original clutches are of unknown make and the alumininium teeth on the jammers have become worn. From the comments made I think I will opt for Lewmar D1.The kindness to ropes being the main factor.There is not a huge price difference between them.The Barton ones are slightly cheaper but not significantly so.The Lewmar self tailing winches I installed last winter are a great job.

 

[sailorbaz]

Thanks from me also. I will be going with Lewmar. They are nearly twice the price from swindleries in Oz so will be ordering on line from the UK.
Sailorbaz