What should I use to cleat my mainsheet?

soulfinger · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009

My Catalina 350 has mid boom sheeting, with a single-ended mainsheet. Usually when sailing, we have the mainsheet on the starboard cabintop winch. However, there are times when we must free up the winch and need to cleat off the mainsheet. Right now, there's some sort of V-cleat on there (I'm thinking it must be a Ronstan), but it won't hold worth a darn. What should I replace it with? I could get another Garhauer rope cluth like I have for the rest of the lines. Or I could put a cam-cleat on there, or something else. Any ideas on what will work best? I guess ideally, I want something that I can screw into the holes left where the v-cleat is, so I might be somewhat driven by that.

dvpamenter · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009

If feasible why not keep the jam cleat and add another clutch to match what you have. If not feasible remove the cleat fill the holes and add the clutch.
Clear Sailing

zz4gta · #3 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009

Replace the Clam cleat with a new one of proper size to match your sheet.

JimsCAL · #4 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009

I would put a cam cleat on. Less expensive than a clutch and easier to release quickly.

AllThumbs · #5 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009

It's not the main sheet but I replaced clams with a cam cleats.

sailingfool · #6 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009

You don't want to use a clutch on your mainsheet. The cam cleat could be fine if you need quick release, include a rope guide and you can also quick set it.

The best cleat for non-racing use is the traditional horn cleat.

patrickrea · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009

It could just be your clam cleat is worn or is the wrong size for the sheet if it is not holding. That said, a cam cleat would be the way to go if you are determined. You could add it to the lower setup of your mainsheet so that it swivels with the blocks.

pvanv1 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009

Yep, Patrick's right. These phenolic clams get sunburned, wear, and lose their sharpness. You can replace it with identical, or do as I did, and go aluminum. (They are also available in anodized, painted AL). We sell them all the time, and you should be able to get one from any decent chandlery.

zz4gta · #9 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009

Thumbs, I don't think that'll work in his case, as he wants to use the winch after he cleats it off. So the cleat would need to be on the highly loaded side. I've had trouble un-cleating a cam cleat before in high winds, and I'm not sure that would be the answer if there's little to no purchase on the mainsheet (assuming there's not since its lead to a winch).

sailingfool · #10 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by zz4gta

Thumbs, I don't think that'll work in his case, as he wants to use the winch after he cleats it off. So the cleat would need to be on the highly loaded side. I've had trouble un-cleating a cam cleat before in high winds, and I'm not sure that would be the answer if there's little to no purchase on the mainsheet (assuming there's not since its lead to a winch)

the mainsheet deserves its own winch...if the OP can't find an alternative to making a second use of the winch serving the mainsheet, then he should just release the mainsheet and luff the main until the sheet can be put back on the winch. Better to have it luffing occasionally over the years, then to not have it release instantly just once. Been there, done that...