Morning Brainstrust. Quick question I'm looking for any feedback about the need for a cleat after Rope Clutch. The boat is setup with cabin top clutch, to a winch and in between a cleat. I want to get rid of the cleat while I'm reinstalling all the hardware as I think it's unnecessary. I'm thinking it was probably put there pre clutches making it now redundant.

Any ideas?

It might be there to stop any clutch slippage and free up the winch, but it does seem a tad redundant.

My rope clutches are worn and the halyards slip back a bit when they are winched on. So we have cleats for each clutch. Winch the halyard on then cleat it. Either that or $1K for new clutch on each side of the boat, not to mention installing.

Select to expand quote

Trek said..
My rope clutches are worn and the halyards slip back a bit when they are winched on. So we have cleats for each clutch. Winch the halyard on then cleat it. Either that or $1K for new clutch on each side of the boat, not to mention installing.

Ordinarily you can replace the internals and avoid a costly complete replacement, at least that was the case with my Spinlock clutches.

If the clutches are working as expected, the cleat can be removed. if the clutch/es are not working, then replace them or swap them to something else.

Yeah thanks peoples. These replies confirm my thought process. The clutches are in great condition so the cleat is just wasting space.

I figured if the clutches are slipping I could reinstall it but as mentioned by Traffic Jam if the internals can be replaced or I guess or worse case swapped from low load unworn clutches then the cleat will never be necessary.

Thanks Sam

I have two clutches on my boat for each of the spinnaker halyards. Everything else is has a cleat behind a winch. Some of these date from 1975 and are very worn. I would suggest keeping the cleats and have a think about where others might come in handy. Cleats are extremely reliable and more is better than less!

My philosophy is better to have and not need than need and not have. Will removal actually release usable real estate or just "tidy up" the aesthetics?

Agree UncleBob. Less is better. I looked at replacing the internals but the clutches are a 50yo design and not made for years. And to replace those parts any way means dismantling which means access required under the deck which means pulling off the saloon head lining.
So cleats it is. (Until budget improves )