Furling Line Clutch

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Zach Smith

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Oct 3, 2021, 12:00:00 PM10/3/21
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Hey everyone, just wanted to share a modification I made to my boat.  I added a rope clutch to the jib furling line. It can be a lot to handle when singlehanding, when the wind pipes up, or when I have inexperienced crew onboard.

I switched to the harken stanchion blocks that were referenced in another thread. The clutch is mounted on a 1" thick piece of G10 that I got from McMaster. The line goes through the clutch, then a block that I shackle to the toe rail. The block is great since it lets me use either of the port side winches so you can use a winch on both tacks if needed.

The part of the deck I mounted it to is about 1/2" of solid fiberglass and I was able to access the bottom to get nuts on the mounting bolts.  I did have to grind down the anti skid in the area the clutch is mounted with a dremel.

Cheers,
Zach
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whbro...@gmail.com

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Oct 6, 2021, 12:52:24 PM10/6/21
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Hi Zach,

Thanks for sharing your solution to dealing with the jib furling line.  We have been looking for a solution that will work for us.  I like the addition of the block but it seems to require the rope clutch to be a bit too far forward for the way we sail.  We would prefer the rope clutch to be further back, nearer to the furling line cleat, where we would be working from.  You’ve given me something to think about!

Bill Broderick

Avonmore, #157

Naples, FL

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Zach Smith

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Oct 6, 2021, 2:15:30 PM10/6/21
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You could definitely move it further back, theres quite a bit of deck space to play with there and plenty of holes on the toe rail to attach that block.

Jonathan Salter

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Oct 6, 2021, 2:17:50 PM10/6/21
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I’m by no means an expert at this, but I have considered replacing the last block on my jib furling line with a cam cleat block. Something so I can lock it in quickly while trying to single hand, or at least add some efficiency. 

This is what I was considering:


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On Oct 6, 2021, at 9:52 AM, whbro...@gmail.com wrote:



Zach Smith

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Oct 6, 2021, 2:28:52 PM10/6/21
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That would probably work, but I like having an actual clutch. That way I can focus on one line at a time.  Winch the furling line with one hand and control the jib sheet with the other.  Then when I'm done, I can take the furling line off the winch and cleat it off for extra safety if I want.

Everything runs pretty smoothly on my furling system, but it still can be a bear to reef down the jib by hand in 20-25kts which we get into here on the gulf coast regularly.

Or if its someone who isnt a regular sailor i can just tell them to winch the furling line and we get a nice tight wrap by me following them with the jibsheet.  Nobody freaks out trying to pull a rope with a lot of force on it and no frustration/luffing jib/sloppy wraps if I'm on the furling line and they dont ease the jib sheet properly.

Michael Green

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Oct 6, 2021, 2:47:49 PM10/6/21
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On my boat, which I have now sold, I also used a turning block attached to the rail, but I put a clam cleat just in front of the block to temporarily secure the furling line while I transfer it the the stationary cleat that came with the boat, after I had hauled the furling line in.

I had a power winch on the cabin top that I used to haul in the furling line.  The smooth pull from the winch gave me a nice trim wrap of the sale.

I just secured the clam cleat using one of the screws from the deck railing.

Mike

ken magida

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Oct 7, 2021, 10:16:46 AM10/7/21
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That is what I did. The block is secured to the toe rail and therefore is not rigid. At a result it does not usually line up to effectively use the clam cleat. 
However it is better than what was before. 

Ken MAGIDA
Forever Young
C355. #46
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On Oct 6, 2021, at 14:17, Jonathan Salter <jonn...@gmail.com> wrote:

 I’m by no means an expert at this, but I have considered replacing the last block on my jib furling line with a cam cleat block. Something so I can lock it in quickly while trying to single hand, or at least add some efficiency. 

Allen B

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Oct 7, 2021, 11:29:31 AM10/7/21
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No problem. Just curious. 

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On Oct 7, 2021, at 9:16 AM, ken magida <kensa...@outlook.com> wrote:

 That is what I did. The block is secured to the toe rail and therefore is not rigid. At a result it does not usually line up to effectively use the clam cleat. 
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