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Old 24-01-2012, 06:24   #1
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Garhauer Rope Clutches

Garhauer seems to be about 30% less expensive than Lewmar or Spinlock clutches. Are they any good?
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Old 24-01-2012, 06:43   #2
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

I've never used any of their clutches, but have many blocks from Garhauer. Quality is top-notch. Never a problem with anything I've bought from them. I plan to purchase a bunch more this season.
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Old 24-01-2012, 06:53   #3
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

They are very nice products... well built and solid.

If you have the patience to wait for the right ones to show up, you can typically find great deals for Spinlock clutches on eBay. I went with Spinlocks because of the great prices I found.
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Old 24-01-2012, 07:52   #4
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

We have Garhauer rope clutches that are about 15 yrs old. They aren't fancy, however they are simple so if they ever need maintenance they would be easy to fix. Having said that, they are all stainless steel and pretty much bullet proof.
I would not hesitate to recommend them to any cruiser.
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Old 24-01-2012, 07:56   #5
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

In addition to bigger items like mainsheet tackles and travellers, I have a box of Garhauer clutches, blocks and other bits and pieces just as spares or "maybes". Their stuff is so well-built and reasonably priced that I haven't hesitated to drop money on stuff they've had at boatshows based on the predictable future need for them.
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Old 24-01-2012, 08:11   #6
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

Garhauer makes fantastic products, that are not commonly available other than directly from them. Therefore, the prices are cheaper - no retailer that needs to mark them up.
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Old 24-01-2012, 08:19   #7
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

Both of my previous boats had Garhauer Rope Clutches. They worked and looked great. Stainless & aluminum will last forever and look new after 20 years

I have Spinlock clutches now and only 3 years old and the black plastic housings are start to fade. Not impressed with Spinlock clutches
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Old 24-01-2012, 12:08   #8
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

A question for you Garhauser clutch users: will they release under heavy load, or must you unload them to release?

The Spinlock clutches on our boat (main and genoa halyards in particular) will NOT release under normal halyard tension load. I broke a cam handle finding this out! The Lewmar clutches that I installed on my runner tails release under full runner load... every time we tack. The Garhauser prices are attractive as is the appearance, thus my question.

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Old 24-01-2012, 12:15   #9
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

My Garhauer Rope Clutches only released when I wanted them to
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Old 24-01-2012, 12:20   #10
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cotemar View Post
My Garhauer Rope Clutches only released when I wanted them to
but do you have to relieve the load from them or can you just open the clutch and expect the halyard/runner/foreguy.....etc to be free?
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Old 24-01-2012, 12:29   #11
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

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Originally Posted by Cotemar View Post
My Garhauer Rope Clutches only released when I wanted them to
Just in case you are serious: the reason for using a clutch rather than a cam cleat or equivalent is to be able to release the line under tension when desired. For instance, when reefing the main, I need to slack the halyard a few feet. With my present Spinlock clutches I must put the halyard back on the winch and tension the tail up to somewhere near the load on the other side of the clutch before the clutch will release and I can proceed with reefing. The Lewmar clutches on the runners open easily under full runner load. Thus the question...

If you were just funnin' me, OK, but it was a serious question and I'd appreciate someone's information.

Cheers,

Jim
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Old 24-01-2012, 12:40   #12
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

I have garhauer clutches on my halyards and reef points they do not need to be tensioned to release them. Have had them for four years with no problems.
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Old 24-01-2012, 13:21   #13
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

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I have garhauer clutches on my halyards and reef points they do not need to be tensioned to release them. Have had them for four years with no problems.
Thanks Charlie... that's the sort of response I was looking for.

Cheers,

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Old 24-01-2012, 13:39   #14
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

We have 12 x Garhauer rope clutches on our yacht. They are well made and robust.

However, they are a fairly simple design and do not release well under significant load: That is to say that you can release them under load, but you are very likely to damage the rope that you are releasing. If their is any significant load on the rope, it is very important to take up that load on a winch before releasing the clutch.

For what it is worth, I probably wouldn't use the Garhauers on for halyards on a boat any bigger than ours (40').
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Old 24-01-2012, 16:52   #15
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Re: Garhauer Rope Clutches

My Garhauer and Spinlock rope clutches release under full load without damaging lines or taking the load off them with a winch.

Its the reason you use rope clutches.

Full load / Release.
Use for main halyard, full load / release to drop the main fast.
Use for main sheet, full load / release to de-power your main
Reefing line, full load / release put in another reef
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