CP19 Jib/Genoa Cleat

[JLaman]

I have just finished my first summer of sailing my '85 CP 19/II in L. Mich and am contemplating modifications for next year.  I sail single handed about 90% of the time, so this presents a few challenges.  One important issue for single handing is the original jib/genoa cleat -- it takes too many hands to cleat and un-cleat, especially in a stiffer breeze.  Has anyone replaced the original cleat with a cam cleat of some type with success?  If you have pics or even a brand and part no., that would really be great.  I am thinking of a Harken standard cam cleat with bullseye, possibly with a swivel base? Thanks for your comments and suggestions!

Jeff

[Lost Lake]

Same here, I also would like to have a cam cleat like my old sailboat had. I don't see why not, maybe it's not as beautiful, but it would be a lot faster in all respects.

[mgoller]

Hey Jeff,
I'm in Brighton MI.  We should get together sometime for a sail. 

My CP 19 II "Windy"  has a cam cleat mounted on the coaming.  I thought it was standard. 

I use a lot of different setups depending on the time of year and wind conditions.
If its summer and the breezes are light hot summer breezes I put one turn around the winch and use the cam cleat.  In this case I am running the sheets between the shrouds and through the eye mounted on the coaming.

If it is spring or fall, winds cold heavy and stiff, I run the sheets outside the shrouds through the genoa track block and up to the winch and then cleat or just hold.  Two turns around the winch make holding easy.  Especially good when winds are heavy and changing.  I don't like to cleat off if winds are gusting and changing.

Another couple of setups:

If I am single handing and things are dicey I put a turn around the winch and then pull the tail across the cockpit to the opposite cleat.  This puts the sheet right next to me on the windward side where I am.  I don't have to race across to leeward to release the sheet.  Then when I tack - I release to backwind and put a turn on the winch and race across with the tail in hand as I come about and cleat.  The downside is I have a sheet running across the cockpit.  But when I am heavy sailing like this I can't exactly go below for sandwich!

When I have non-sailing passengers that don't want to be bothered with having to move or getting in the way, I run the sheets through the eye or genoa block back to the stern cleats where I can handle tiller, main sheet and jib sheets from the stern.

Definitely add what you need to make things easier.  Just don't be drilling too many holes.

Below is a picture showing the cam cleat mounted between the winch and cleat.  Very handy.  (If you wonder what I am doing in this picture - I am about to tack while flying a spinnaker.  The sheet runs back to the stern cleat.  I am sheeting in as I round up for a tack.)

[JLaman]

Marcus,

Thanks for your reply -- I never considered running the sheet across the cockpit to the other cleat.  That's a very useful tip!  I also had in mind to *replace* the cleat with a cam cleat, but now you have me thinking that *adding* a cam cleat might be the smarter option.  The holes, I am certain, will never align leaving a hole to fill.

Do you know what kind of cam cleat you have?  Does it have a swivel or is a swivel necessary/useful?  Does it have a bullseye?  Sorry for all the questions, but as you say, don't drill too many holes and I want to get this right the first time.

By all means, if you are in the Pentwater/Ludington/Manistee area, let me know.  I am in Pentwater off and on all summer, but live in PA (no water worth mentioning in the middle of the state   ).  I used to live in Plymouth and Ann Arbor so am familiar with the Brighton area.  I am one of the very few sailors going out of Ludington, so could use some company!

Jeff

[mgoller]

Hey Jeff,

I'd love to get together for a sail.  Sounds like you're done for the season.  Stay in touch next spring and we'll work a time.  I usually start sailing as soon as the ice thaws in March.  I'd rather sail in cold and cool weather than hot.  Nice thing about these boats is you don't have to get wet unless you try!

The cam cleat is not a swivel and no bulls eye.  Its a flat plate screwed down with two spring loaded cams.  You just lay the sheet down and pull.  Pull up to release.  Its late and I can't go out to see what it is in the dark.  I would say I like how simple it is, and easy to clean around and nothing to foul clothing or get hurt on.  It does lay at an angle to receive the sheet off the winch or the genoa track block.

[mgoller]

Jeff,

My cam cleat is a "Spring Servo 22/40".  Maybe you can find this or similar.  It is placed at an angle to receive off the genoa track block or winch.

Marcus

[Craig Weis]

Yep I replaced or actually added a port/starboard Harken Jam cleat set-up mounted up off the deck on proper blocks.
They work but I actually went back to using the teak wooden cleats as I find this a more comfortable way to anchor the head sheet.
So I turned the blocks and cleats backward facing the stern and use these as spinnaker cleats after running the spinnaker sheets through the factory stern hull cleats. Confussed? skip.

[JLaman]

Thanks Skip and Marcus.  Couldn't find much about the Spring Servo.  It seems to be a German made item no longer produced.  I found a forum where a sailor was looking for replacement parts, but that's about it.  Your descriptions have been very helpful.  Now I just need to study the West Marine catalog and see what will work best.

Marcus -- I will certainly send you a note come later spring when I know my schedule for Michigan!  I am, unfortunately, done sailing for the '07 season due to living and working in PA.  Enjoy the rest of your season!

Jeff

[JLaman]

I just purchased two Ronstan medium cam cleats - RF5010 with fairlead and rope guide.  I won't be able to install them for a couple more months, but these look like they will solve my single handing problems with the stock cleats.  I am anxious to try them out.  I'll report back later on the results.

Jeff