Rope Clutches

[sail_anchor_sur]

Hello all!

I'm looking into upgrading my hardware from cleats and jammer to rope clutches (pretty clever technology). I realize that they all serve a very similar purpose, but I've noticed that a few of the brands clamp the rope down in different ways. For example:

Spinlock - traditional spring and cam loaded cleat with teeth
Antal - Similar to Spinlock with a V-cam shaped cleat
Lewmar - Angled rings
Rig-Rite, Inc - What looks like a toothed flat surface

I'd love any an all feedback on what your thoughts and experience with any of these or other brands are (ease of line feed through, rope damage, slippage, ease of use, etc...)

Thanks!

[Dockhead]

I have a multitude of clutches on my boat, and am adding four more.

They are Lewmar and Spinlock XAS.

They all work excellently, and do not damage the rope.

Note that there is a very large range of price and holding ability among different types. You can spend up to megabucks on clutches.

One other thing -- clutches don't work all that well on Dyneema rope with polyester jackets -- so-called "cruising dyneema". Because the jacket is loose over the core. The clutch holds the jacket but doesn't hold the core all that well. This reduces the holding power on my halyards, for example, although it's still enough, more or less.

[sail_anchor_sur]

Thank you for your information!

On that same note, do you have a specific brand or material of rope that you've found to hold best?

[roverhi]

Have Spinlock, Schaeffer and Garhauer clutches on the boat. All work fine. Garhauer will probably have the best prices on new. The Schaeffers are NLA. Use dacron jacketed Dyneema for the main halyard and double braid for the rest.

[DeborahLee]

Garhauer Marine Hardware -10792405 Replaced all my rigging thru them 11 years ago and still looks new.

[Stu Jackson]

Third +++ for Garhauer. 10 year warranty too.

[Tayana42]

Every contact I've had with Garhauer has been exceptionally good. Great products and even better service.


S/V B'Shert

[jaybird1111]

Ronstan CONSTRICTOR clutches, and love 'em!

No teeth, no wear, no slip.

[MarkSF]

My Garhauers have always worked beautifully, and I've never seen any wear to the lines. They arent the lightest, but the good ship "weight reduction" set sail a long time ago, as far as my boat is concerned.