Mainsheet Cam Cleat Replaced By Rope Clutch

[ElizabethG]

Hi All,

In the latest issue of Catalina Mainsheet, there is an article, starting on page 28, where a Catalina C400 captain replaced his mainsheet cam cleat with a rope clutch by using an adapter plate from Garhauer.

I did the same "upgrade" this week. Very easy.

The adapter plate was not listed on the Garhauer website, so I called them directly to place the order.

p/n 11-11S-CCC Cam cleat adapter plate for $39.00 ( I specified it was for a C350)
p/n 11-11A Rope clutch for $60.78 (I specified I wanted a "grey" body to match my other clutches). The body is grey, but the handle is black.
UPS Freight From CA to GA was $24.00
Total $123.78

The adapter plate is stainless and included two stainless screws that are used to mount the clutch to the plate.

I used the two existing stainless screws, from the old cam cleat, to mount the plate to the boat. I used a little butyl tape on those two screws.

There was only one small problem that I encountered...

The two screws they supplied to mount the clutch to the adapter plate were a little too long and protruded beyond the base of the adapter plate causing the adapter plate to not sit flush. Instead of trying to find shorter screws, I elected to drill small dimples in the gelcoat until the plate was flush. I also added a little butyl tape.

I hated that mainsheet cam cleat, so this was an easy upgrade for me.

I took a few pics of the finished install
Bill
#193
Atlanta, GA (Home) / Charleston, SC (Boat)

[Olivia Mae]

Nice. I've just always used the winch for the main sheet. I repurposed that cam cleat for my cunningham when we got new sails.

[cuthbert]

Hi Bill,

Could you at some point post one more picture - The mainsheet on the winch and under tension. I like the look of this and had lots of issues with the line jumping out of the racing cleat thing that came standard with the boat. But I'm curious if there is a lateral loading on that rope clutch when its tight on the winch or does it line up perfectly?

[ElizabethG]

Hi "cuthbert",

I live in Atlanta and my boat is in Charleston, SC...about 5.5 hours away.

I plan to check on the boat in the next couple of weeks.

I'll take a couple of pics for you and post them.

Bill
#193
Atlanta, GA (Home) / Charleston, SC (Boat)

[LI_Sound_Cat]

Hi Cuthbert,
I also have this setup and should be able to snap a picture for you tomorrow.
Best,
Dan

[JohnNorton]

Replacing a cam with clutch cleat..... ? Possible issue would be if, make that WHEN, the main needs to be released quickly. The clutch would not allow this, a jammer / clam cleat does. The safety factor, allowing the main sheet to be totally unloaded quickly (when "sh.t happens"), being able to release the main sheet NOW! makes the cleat a better choice for me. Just saying...

[ElizabethG]

Hi John,

When asked why Catalina went with the racing cam cleat for the main sheet, Jerry Douglas echoed your thoughts exactly.

However, I've had too many cases where the main sheet has popped out of that cleat compared to having to dump wind from the sail quickly.

The nice thing about this "upgrade" is if you don't like it, you can always go back to the racing cam cleat quickly and no holes to fill.

I'm going to try it for a season and see how it goes...

Bill
#193
Atlanta (Home) / Charleston (Boat)

[Olivia Mae]

You also always have the option of letting the traveler go if you need to depower quickly.

[LI_Sound_Cat]

Here are some pictures:

[ElizabethG]

Cuthbert,

Here are the pics you requested from my install.

Bill
#193
Atlanta,GA (Home) / Charleston, SC (Boat)

[TBOT422]

Our arrangement for the main sheet is similar to those pictured. The original owner apparently installed the rope clutch arrangement. For those worried about releasing the main sheet quickly, we tend to leave the main sheet on the winch most of the time and the rope clutch left open. A quick twist off the winch and you can let the sheet go quickly while still under control as you have the winch helping minimize the load in your hand. If we need the winch temporarily for some other purpose, we just close the rope clutch, then put everything back to normal when we are through with the winch.