Halyard clutches

[T34C]

I remember seeing it mentioned in another thread, but does anyone use halyard clutches at the mast? My headsail halyards are on the mast, external, with mast winches. I am interested in possibly adding clutches above the winches so the halyards could then be taken off the winches and cleated. Any thoughts? Pictures?

[sailingdog]

No reason you couldn't do that. It would certainly make getting the sails up a lot simpler. My recommendation would be to mount the clutches on a base, and have the bases pop riveted to the mast, using stainless steel or monel pop rivets. The simplest base could be a piece of bent aluminum.

[Idiens]

I had clutches on my mast for halyards and topping lift. They worked fine. Bit by bit I have been moving them back to the cockpit.

My mast foot is flat enough and thick enough to mount them directly with SS machine screws into tapped holes and Duralac as a corrosion inhibitor.

[Stillraining]

I have them on mine for everything...Wouldn't be without them...They make temporary adjustments or holds a breeze...and keep lines taunt at mast....I would only have them above the winches....also have them in the cockpit

[sailortjk1]

Here is how our's are set up, note that I inherited this set up from the previous owner.

The halyards exit the mast, than through the clutches and are than for added safety cleated off just under the clutch.

I do not have a winch mounted on the mast. To raise the sails, the halyards are run through a turning block and to the coach roof winch. After raising the sails (only once a season if all goes to plan) they are cleated as described above.

So we have clutches and horn cleats on our mast for securing the halyards.
Cruising boat with furling head sail and main.
Probably different for your racing sled.

[uspirate]

I cant see any clutches in this pic. i think you aimed the camera too far to the right

[sailingdog]

USP... the grey things on the mast at the level of the top of her head are line clutches...bad photo with a line in the way of 'em but they're there...

[sailortjk1]

I think what he is saying is that the subject matter in the photo is distacting him from seeing the subject of the thread.

[uspirate]

Thanks Tjk, SD is a super swell guy but i suggest that he hang out with some "street people" for about a week

[Stillraining]

Thats why were sensitive of letting Pirate post pictures of Nimfa...we cant remember what the heck we were talking about...