Auto-release cleat for centerboard downhaul

Posted By: Jay Levy - Indianapolis, IN 5.2 #35
Date: 9/23/01 7:00p.m.

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I just installed an auto-release cleat for centerboard downhaul (Clam Cleat CL257) which I purchased for about $18 from Annapolis Performance Sailing - http://www.apsltd.com. I screwed it to the centerboard trunk as far aft as possible but in front of and out of the way of the jib sheet swivel cleats. The cleat accepts up to 1/4" line and is adjustable for tension. I set it to the minimum with a simple screw adjustment. I secured a 2' long piece of 1/4" braided line to the existing centerboard downhaul line via a sheetbend. The cleat is basically a clam cleat with a hinge pin on the front end. If the board were to hit bottom, the line would pull on the cleat about the hinge whereupon the line is released from the "back" of the cleat. I haven't run aground yet, and hope I never do, but I have confidence that this will work and I'll have no more broken cleat ripped from the deck! Remember to tie the sheetbend as close to the cleat as possible so that the knot doesn't run into the sheave when the board is raised.