A few years ago, Practical Sailor did an evaluation and test of rope clutches. As I recall, they liked the Spinlocks better than either Lewmar or Harken. The best buy was Garhauer - which is what I've installed on both my boats - not as pretty but just as effective as Harken and Lewmar and typically half the cost, plus the Garhauer guarantee.
I recall that practical Sailor made specific mention of the problems with newer high tech lines. Ridged jaw/cam type clutches are hard on the lines and allow creep under load. Their recommendation was a clutch (I don't recall which one) that routed the line through a series of pivoting rings. When the clutch is closed, the rings rotate and bend the line into a series of "waves", which Practical Sailor said had better holding and less line wear. Rick Brass Washington, NC From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Hoyt, Mike Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 6:16 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List Spinlock Clutches One of the main problems is the newer hi tech lines. The spectra core in these halyards is flat and for that reason acts like a smaller diameter line when in clutches. options are to make covering thicker in the areas normally in the clutches or as some have done to swap the halyards end for end to use a less worn section of line ... or even to have 1 or 2 feet taken off top of halyard. Pandore (nee Triumph) another 115 at the club had same problem. They take the halyard end as it comes thru clutch and then turn it 180 degrees and tie off forward of the clutch. This 180 deg bend seems to help. Also leaving the halyard on the self tailing winch helps except then there are no winches readily available for vang, outhaul pole up down etc ... Our most used strategy is leaving most of the time on the winch. One final comment. If the lines slip all the time then your line is sized too small for the clutches or clutches too large for line. Change one or the other Mike _____
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