vectran rope slips in clutch

[siroismi]

Has anybody any suggestions for vectran rope that slips in Spinlock XT clutch?

I heard that some coating can be applied on the section of rope that goes thru the clutch.

I have been having this problem with my main halyard since I switched from poly to vectran.

Thanks
Michel

[Weyalan]

If the Vectran is a single braid, without any cover, then getting a cover put on for a few feet where it passes through the clutch is one solution. Its pretty cheap and easy too.

[Jim Cate]

Another possibility is that you downsized when you went to the hitech line, and the clutch can't cope with the smaller diameter, even though it isn't bare vectran. I suspect that one could still add a short length of additional cover as Weyalan has suggested above.

Cheers,

Jim

[siroismi]

Good ideas,

I did down sized very slightly, can remember the exact sizes. I think the original was 1/2" and the vectran is metric, just slightly smaller.

It is double braided with core and cover.

Wow this forum never ceases to amaze me as a great source of information and ideas..!

Thanks
Michel

[Weyalan]

The problem may not even be the rope, as such, if it is double braid construction with Vectran core and normal polyester or Dacron cover braid. Don't forget that with Vectran you can achieve a much higher load at the clutch (because it won't stretch like the old halyard), so it is possible that the clutch isn't tough enough for the job... so you may need a higher load-specced clutch. Also bear in mind that cluches do wear out, too. The closest metric equivalent to 1/2" would be 12mm, which is less than 1/32" smaller, so I'd be very surprised if a clutch would hold 1/2" but slip on 12mm

[colemj]

Spinlock sells parts for these, so you could try a new clutch cam. Annapolis Performance Sailing sells cover material if you want to add cover.

Mark