Viper 640 Class Association Forums

Viper 640 Public Forums => Viper Discussions => Topic started by: Peter Bauer on October 09, 2016, 05:17:28 PM

Title: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Peter Bauer on October 09, 2016, 05:17:28 PM
Can someone tell me what size clam cleats are used for halyards on a mark3 boat? 
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Dave Nickerson on October 10, 2016, 10:30:26 AM
CL222 is on the bottom of my spare.  APS shows them as C222.  About $10.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Peter Bauer on October 10, 2016, 01:28:38 PM
Thanks Dave!  mine are shot.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Justin Scott on October 14, 2016, 12:26:52 PM
They are a bloody PITA to replace and wear out much too quickly. There has to be a better way to keep our mainsails up.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Darren Gilbert on October 14, 2016, 07:23:33 PM
Any thoughts on adding a simple horn cleat?
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Somers Kempe on October 15, 2016, 04:01:14 PM
Have put up with those clam cleats for too long.  Next boat will have a horn cleat.    Of course we could then argue about the right way to tie the halyard to the cleat...  :)
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Mike Thompson on October 15, 2016, 08:31:10 PM
My cleats are shot as well, and will be replaced over the winter.  A couple questions:

1) Justin Scott says replacing is a PITA.  Anything special I should watch out for?
2) Seriously thinking about replacing the lower cleat with a horn.  Any reason why I shouldn't?  Does that violate a Class rule?
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Dave Nickerson on October 17, 2016, 09:30:57 AM
Class rules can be found here and they are an easy read.
http://www.viper640.org/technical/rules/

The quick answer to your question is horn cleats are fine

"8.4 The main halyard cleats must be at or near the base of the mast and may be of any type. "
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Peter Beardsley on October 17, 2016, 10:19:21 AM
I have a cam cleat on a swivel (miniature version of the spin halyard headknocker) that Ron Pletsch installed for us in Sarasota. There was some work involved on his end to back it inside the mast to ensure that it'd be durable but so far, so good - definitely easier to use.  Doesn't slip.  A little harder to remove the compass bracket for trailering but the mast cover still fits over it.  That said, there's no reason to install it until the old cleats or block start shredding. 
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Jason Hyerstay on October 17, 2016, 10:20:03 AM
I used a 40mm Harken block with attached cam cleat. Big improvement.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Nick Ward on October 17, 2016, 03:05:26 PM
People using the cam cleat on a swivel, did you remove the other clam cleats?

Nick
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Peter Beardsley on October 17, 2016, 04:59:38 PM
Yes, minimize holes in mast by reusing existing holes as much as possible.  That said, you will end up making new holes and not filling all of them.  Regardless, you should always be pulling your main halyard up outside any cleat (better for halyard and for cleat, esp. with the clam cleats though) and only pulling up the last inch or two through the cleat, and you should rinse the cleats with fresh water regularly (a commonly missed spot during boat cleaning). 
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Darren Gilbert on October 18, 2016, 08:50:58 AM
Hey Peter - Do you know what size the swivel block and cleat is on your boat?  Any pictures available?

Do you find it catches on anything else at the base of the mast?  I have my spin sock on the port side already so that might help.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Jason Hyerstay on October 18, 2016, 09:09:55 AM
My block is just shackled to the same attachment as the old tiny block.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Peter Beardsley on October 18, 2016, 10:46:05 AM
I do not have a photo, sorry.  It's like you'd expect though - nothing too tricky on the exterior, looks like the system for the spin halyard except for the main halyard and mounted right side up with a smaller fitting. 
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Nick Ward on October 18, 2016, 11:07:38 AM
Jason, the 40mm has a safe working load of 150lbs with a breaking load of 300lbs..  Any issue with the block?  The 57mm is 300 an d 750.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Jason Hyerstay on October 18, 2016, 01:00:54 PM
I haven't had an issue yet, but it would be very easy to swap if I ever needed to. I did keep the top clam cleat too (still worn), which might help a little bit.

It is certainly larger than the previous block!
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Jon Stubbs on December 11, 2016, 06:30:04 PM
If you run the halyard around the side of the cleats while hoisting it doesn't wear out the cleats. Then when the main is fully hoisted put the halyard in the cleats for securing.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Parker Hoblin on February 15, 2017, 03:24:08 PM
Boat #22 has a jam cleat paired with a horn mounted a little lower down. Jam cleat holds it well enough until I can get it around the horn.
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Andrew Maki on September 15, 2017, 05:01:23 PM
Is this the harken cam cleat you used Peter?  http://ca.binnacle.com/Sailboat-Hardware-Blocks-Harken-Blocks-Harken-Carbo-Blocks-29mm-&-40mm/c28_425_383_348/p10261/Harken-40mm-Carbo-Pivoting-Lead-Block/product_info.html
Title: Re: Mainsail clam cleats
Post by: Peter Beardsley on September 15, 2017, 11:49:54 PM
Pretty sure I use the 29mm version.