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Topic: spinnaker halliard auto dump |
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mikes |
Posted: 02-Oct-05 21:41 |
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Our spinnaker halliard cleat has a habit of letting go without any warning. It's extremely frustrating especially when it's happened on one of our few competitive outings. The cleat was our first suspect and has been replaced with a brand new Ronstan item. This hasn't changed things. We'll renew our halliard itself. Maybe that will fix it. However I find myself wondering if the angle of the cleat mounting is wrong. The cleat is on wedges which angle it forwards. Is this right? I can't help thinking that it might function better if it was vertically mounted or even angled backwards somewhat. I would be grateful for any views. |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 02-Oct-05 22:07 |
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H'mm - had the same problem ourselves. Our cleat is mounted horizontally - no wedges. Look at the relative height of the rear block to the base of the cleat. The block will almost certainly be high by 3 to 4mm resulting in the halyard sitting in the upper half of the cleat teeth instead of right down in the base.
Suggest you lift the cleat by putting some flat packing in behind - bit of stainless or thin plastic cut to shape should do it.
Give it a try - if it works then great.
Suggest you make sure the halyard can't recleat by also adding a small ring and elastic to pull it sideways after uncleating on the downhaul. Gives your crew - and kite - a nasty shock if it re-cleats as well as often resulting the trawled kite effect. Not good for speed or the colour of the air !
Bob |
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mikes |
Posted: 03-Oct-05 18:18 |
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Thanks Bob. I'll try that forthwith. I've already got the lateral ring shock cord thing (indeed initially I suspected that of being the problem).
Mike |
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mikes |
Posted: 10-Oct-05 18:14 |
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Postscript. I've put the cleat horizontally on a little mahogany plinth about 15 mm thick. Worked a treat during breezy Final Fling in Plymouth. Now we've got it to stay up we've got to start treating it a little better - both on and off the water!
Mike |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 10-Oct-05 18:35 |
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Pleased to be of help - which is what this Class Board is all about 
Look forward to seeing the glistening mahogany at the Inlands.... |
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