Have included some pictures of an option for securing the mainsheet behind and to the side of Catalina's miserable POS clam (or jam?) cleat.
Since I almost universally singlehand, leaving the helm to handle the mainsheet, especially following the boom during a jibe, has always been a PITA. A cam cleat with overhead fairlead allows me to take the mainsheet to the helm and "pop" it out of the cam cleat with an upward tug. Resetting the main in the cleat after a jibe does require I go forward a bit to get enough downward pull on the line into the cleat's jaws, but without having to press the line down with my fingers into the old clam cleat. I might try elevating the cam cleat to make this easier, but for now it works well enough for me.
In light air I use the cam cleat, but when the wind builds the 500 lb working load rating and #10 machine screw mounting make me feel better with the sheet led to the winch. I generally don't jibe (intentionally) in those conditions anyway. Getting the cam cleat to let go, after the mainsheet has been tensioned, can be a chore, but comes out of the jaws easily when led to the winch.
Originally I had the fairlead's mounting holes through both screws, but shifting it over to the winch caused me to either reroute the sheet in its entirety, or get enough slack in it to double up and then go to the winch. Hardly an elegant solution. I removed one mounting screw from the fairlead and torqued the nut just enough so the fairlead can rotate around on top of the cleat. It remains snug enough such that the upward tug releases the line without the fairlead being bent out of shape. When it's time to go to the winch, the fairlead swings off the top of the cleat. Otherwise the unused mounting hole sits on top of the cleat's Phillips head screw as in a detent.
Hopefully the pictures will clear up the confusion generated by my poor technical writing skills.
Cam cleat: Schaefer's 70-39 (5/8" max line size) - Defender #603117 $71 comes with its own "on top" fairlead. West Marine does not carry this item, so I ordered a Schaefer 70-38, removed its integral fairlead, and added a Ronstan RF1055 eye strap for $3.79 to take advantage of the price match and no shipping charges. The Defender # is 615141 for the eye strap.
Am not advocating this for any application other than light air, but it has made life easier for me aboard. Hope this is helpful.
Jack
Jack Heaston
1987 C36 Mk I #692
Fin Keel, Std Rig, Rocna 15
Silent Passage, M25 XPB Repower
I did away with the factory unit and put in a 2 clutch unit
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1
I assume the jam cleat on my boat is original, as well as a small winch just aft of it. The cleat does not line up, so always fussing with it.
Leads to a question: Is the small (not at the boat so don't have the size) winch on the cabin top original? Did these come with the boats? The winch is not really large enough for the mainsheet line and so small that any tension makes it nearly impossible to turn anyway. I've been pondering a fix, don't have the best solution yet. And the mainsheet line is same diameter as on another C36 MKI on my dock.
S/V Tao
Catalina 36
1983, Hull #114
I also got rid of the jam/clam cleats and put in rope clutches. HUGE improvement. I believe that Lewmar #30CST (chrome self-tailer) are standard for the C36 cabintop. Anything else is most likely a replacement.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Like you said the winch is small and hard to pull the main, I bought a winch mate and it takes the main up fast and easy
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1
As for the main sheets I am considering both options, as I still have that totally inadequate jam cleat
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
My two cents,
I use the original Cam Cleat only when the boat is at rest and I am raising the main. My boat has the cleat and as stated it is not very effective as it ages and does not line up with the winch, height is also an issue. So, after the main is hoisted. I use the cabin top self tailing winch to control the mainsheet. Other than hoisting the main the winch is the home for the mainsheet.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
How is the cam cleat working out? I am considering the same set up on my MKII. I worry a little about the working load of 500LB but then again, I guess it has to be better than that stupid jam cleat. Those things are dangerous.
Where can you find information on the original setup for the lines on the 36? I don't have any cabin-top winches so at some point mine was modified. I just want to be aware of the areas equipment was removed from so I can make sure the core is in good shape.
'86 Catalina 36
Work in progress!
Thanks so much for the reply. My traveler has cam cleats, I wonder if the load is the same? Going to research heavy duty cam cleats and see if I come up with something with a working strentof over 500 lbs.
Thanks again,
Rob