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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Mounting rope clutches

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wm36
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2021 : 15:50:09

Continuing my project of running my lines aft on my 95 WB, I have gathered all my hardware and today I started placing things on the deck to decide on placement. I found that the area for the rope clutches (about 12" directly forward of the cabin winches) has a gap between the cabin liner and the deck plywood. By removing the cabin light below the winch I can tell the gap is about 1". It seems like too much gap and cinching down the clutches would crack or break the liner. How have others done this?

Wayne & Lynn
Hillsboro OR
1995 C250 WB #151

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2021 : 11:57:22

Wayne:

Still thinking about the hole drilling business and how to anchor the organizer. I would still go ahead and drill a small test hole in the for you most ideal location and just deck screw the organizer.

Since I�ve worked and had good results with butyl tape sold by West marine and others I love the stuff for staying flexible and sticky. I would use that to seal the holes the screws and equipment. Others may differ so ask the question on the forum what people use for sealing deck equipment.

I hope more qualified people will provide better options...

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2021 : 12:33:13

I agree that the liner probably isn't strong enough to take the load. On my C&C35, the builder used finishing plugs in similar situations. Drill a hole in the liner big enough to fit your socket wrench, then bolt down the clutch, and then plug the holes with finishing plugs. Here's a link that shows different types of finishing plugs available. You might be able to find some at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or maybe WM. https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/66439365?cid=ppc-google-New -

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

wm36
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2021 : 16:28:22

Thanks so much Steve! I had been thinking my best option was to cut a large rectangular hole to access the screws from below then find some material to cover it back up, similar to the opening under the clutches where the cabin lights are. I like this idea much better. I will see what I can find in the way of finishing plugs.

Henk, I agree that the butyl tape seems like the best way to go. I made a note of that when you sold me the boat. I purchased a roll of it right away, just have not had the need to use it yet.

Wayne & Lynn
Hillsboro OR
1995 C250 WB #151

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2021 : 10:47:17

Steve/Wayne Seems like a clean, simple, attractive and very workable solution including future maintenance access...

Edited by - zeil on 05/25/2021 10:52:04

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
833 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2021 : 07:17:11

Wayne,

To cover up the hole in the liner, you might consider a screw-in inspection port.
You already have one in the cabin to cover the bow eye assembly.

There are different sizes, here's a link to Defender.
This example is a Beckson 4" cover.
https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|7504|2290180|2290183&id=47488

Also, I found a photo from my C250WB

Russ

Russ Johnson
2005 C250WB Hull 793

Edited by - Russ.Johnson on 05/28/2021 07:21:50

wm36
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2021 : 19:39:18

Thanks Russ. Putting the boat in the water has taken priority for now. Before I actually drill some holes I will have to decide what approach to take. At this point I am leaning toward using finishing plugs as suggested by Steve, but, like I said, I haven't drilled any holes yet. Thanks for the help.

Wayne & Lynn
Hillsboro OR
1995 C250 WB #151

rhs944
Deckhand

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USA
14 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2021 : 06:16:08

I'm about to do the same project on a 99 250WK. Some of the other sailing forums mention "sealing the core", where you clear out a little wood in the hole, then fill with epoxy, let dry & re-drill hole through deck. Do people do this on Catalina 250's? My plan is to replace the single clutch on the port side with a triple and swap out the single organized on that side to a triple as well. Then all key lines will be in the cockpit

Rick 1999 C250 WK, Cape Cod

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
833 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2021 : 06:36:04

quote:
Originally posted by rhs944

I'm about to do the same project on a 99 250WK. Some of the other sailing forums mention "sealing the core", where you clear out a little wood in the hole, then fill with epoxy, let dry & re-drill hole through deck. Do people do this on Catalina 250's? My plan is to replace the single clutch on the port side with a triple and swap out the single organized on that side to a triple as well. Then all key lines will be in the cockpit

Richard,
Yes, using epoxy to seal the core is a common practice.
When you replace the single clutch with a triple, the existing holes will have a solid core.
Some additional holes may or may not be hollow.

Russ Johnson
2005 C250WB Hull 793

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2021 : 15:23:04

Anywhere you have a void between the inner and outer liners could require filling the space with a fair amount of thickened epoxy. Since the chemical reaction when epoxy kicks is exothermic, it can generate a fair amount of heat which could damage the liner surface. Using finishing plugs, marine plywood or a foam-based core material would reduce the amount of filler needed. If you do need to use a lot of thickened epoxy, may I suggest that you add it in layers and not try to fill it in one shot.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

wm36
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2021 : 19:47:03

I've been reading this web page as I prepare to do this on my C250.

https://marinehowto.com/sealing-deck-penetrations-to-prevent-core-rot/

Wayne & Lynn
Hillsboro OR
1995 C250 WB #151

rhs944
Deckhand

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USA
14 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2021 : 06:43:14

Interesting article on sealing. Will have to incorporate into my project. Has anyone swapped out the existing port side clutch ( single line) and cheek block with a triple clutch and deck organizer? Is the existing deck solid in that area? I am planning to install in the existing locations. Hoping I don't run into a hollow spot

Rick
1999 C250 WK #388

Rick 1999 C250 WK, Cape Cod

k3fuller
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2021 : 07:56:54

I like that article as well. I'm about to do the starboard side main halyard clutch. The original one hardly opens anymore without excessive force and I've already serviced it at least once.

2004 250WB #781

wm36
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2021 : 19:37:03

I'm curious those who already have clutches mounted just forward of the cabin-top winch. How are your clutches mounted? Does your model year boat have a gap between the cabin liner and the deck plywood? How are the clutches mounted so they are strong and take into account the void?

Wayne & Lynn
Hillsboro OR
1995 C250 WB #151

k3fuller
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2021 : 08:52:07

The clutch I just replaced has two SS screws going into barrel nuts & washers inside the cabin. Seems like the factory standard mounting arrangement for all the deck hardware. I couldn't really see core when I had it off, and there was sealant from the factory in the hole. I wondered how secure it all was as well. Having taken the old clutch off, removed all the bedding sealant and the reusing the hardware with new bedding it's pretty amazing how solid it all is. I'm not a fan of those little washers and barrel nuts, I'd prefer something more substantial. The reality of it is that it's pretty solid and the forces aren't working on the clutch in a vertical fashion they're on the horizontal so it seems fine. The original SS hardware (2004) was in perfect condition and had appeared to never had any leaks so I just reused it.

2004 250WB #781

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.