Clam cleats too small

[Jan Williamson]

A few weeks ago I orderd and got some "midi" clam cleats (for 5/16 line) from West Marine. I installed four of them on the boat, got my "yacht line yesterday (5/16) and it won't go in the clam cleat. :x I also ordered two "major" clam cleats for 3/8 line and guess what, the 5/16 line fits nicely. The only reason I'm not screaming right now is that I can install the major ones for the jib sheet and jib halyard, and just cleat of the throut and peak line, for the weekend. I hope I can pry up the ones off the cabin roof and deck (5200) :cry:

[Andrew_Butchart]

I made some cleats out of elm for my pirogue that work as combination fairleads and cleats that might work for your jib sheets. I wouldn't use them for a halyard though.

These were based on drawings from Craig O'Donnell's Cheap Pages which currently seem to be off-line.

[adla]

:cry: terrible....just terrible...sorry to hear.

Adla

[Johannah]

This stuff will happen to the most experienced sailor sometimes. Good argument for skipping the strongest adhesive, like 3M 5200. Lighter strength caulk is much more forgiving and really better for any purpose which will eventually need maintenance (almost everything).

[Guest]

PL Window, Door and Siding Sealant, works everytime for the proper removal of wood and associated parts, but heck of a good and flexible sealant. This has been my experience this past year since switching over to it, for 3.88 a tube, big box, or Lowes store.

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[Jan Williamson]

:? Now I know don't I. :cry: I ordered some more cleats from West Marine. I got vertical cleats 1/4-1/2 inch rope to replace the one on the boat. I have'nt tried to get them off yet though. I figured out a way to barely make the midi ones work, but for things like the peak halyard, and throat halyard, who want cleats that might let loose :? It also is a two handed operation to get the rope in the cleat. So for tomorrow, I'm leaving the midi ones on, and cleat the throat and peak at the mast.

[Pat Mellema]

Jan

i have the same cleats that you bought and haven't had any trouble using then with the 5/16 lines. They are at the upper limit in the lines they will take but I have not had a line come out of them yet.

[Kudzu]

This is probably not an issue for a Weekender, but a few years back in order to make my Cal21 easier to single hand I ran all the lines back to the cockpit. I decided against advice of a wise man, to use something similar to clam cleats. The worked for a while but eventually got to where the halyard would come loose in the most inopportune times.

I am assuming my Cal carried a much larger sheets than Weekenders do so the load was much greater. But I learned a lesson. From now I am will just use cleats. Once you learn the right way you can tie off a line almost as quick. It's easier to play out a little bit of line when under tension then with a clam. And it will NEVER come loose!

Just my 2 cents.

[Greg Luckett]

This stuff will happen to the most experienced sailor sometimes. Good argument for skipping the strongest adhesive' date=' like 3M 5200. Lighter strength caulk is much more forgiving and really better for any purpose which will eventually need maintenance (almost everything).[/quote']

I try to follow the New Yankee Workshop's Norm's advice....always "dry fit" before final assembly with glues. Before that I had several "adventures" with things not fitting together but glued or nailed sub-assemblies. Argggh. I feel your pain

[Jan Williamson]

Yes, that would have been a good thing. I guess I just thought I was good with the midi size. I was just thinking West Marine knew their products. I can force the rope down in them, but they don't hold well, and they seem to damage the rope too much.

[capt jake]

I have also found that teh cam cleats are over-rated as far as line capacity! My reefing cleets are in need of changing. Bummer to find this out! Let me tell you!

[Jan Williamson]

What size reefing lines are you using. Becausethe quarter inch line fits nicely in the midi clams.

[capt jake]

1/4"

I think terminology gets a little fuzzy with 'cleats also. I have the V shaped cleats for reefing. To me a real cam cleat has a moveable cam (which I love and have no problems with).

[Jan Williamson]

Yes, cam cleats are much better. Clam cleats are the v-shaped ones. I could not afford the cam type right away. But I am not using 5200 on any of them anymore, so I can trade them out easier.

[capt jake]

I have found 4200 more forgiving and easier to work with.