Guided Cam Cleat?

[aj911501]

Question for wiser heads than mine:
We picked up this Seaward Slipper 17 last winter it uses these cam cleats to control the jib. We quickly found that, between juggling the kids, the general cockpit layout and the location of the main sheet, it is almost easier to pilot single-handed. Problem is, the jib sheet likes to hop out of the cleat.

Long explanation to the question... Is there are reason NOT to change out these cleats for ones that have a "guide" on them like this other image, to keep the sheet in place?

[thinwater]

No. guides are common. Open cleats are for lines that must be removed entirely, such as if there were a winch.

[meirriba]

Guides, as said, are common.
But one issue to check is the distance and angle from where you operate the line to the cleat.
If you are sitting far from the cleat, the angle may be too shallow to free the line when you lift your end (the lead will interfere).

[marcjsmith]

looks like you have one guide just forward of the cam cleat. on the Port side. (need to rotate the pic or tilt your head to see no reason you can't put another guide a few inches in front of the cam. I would not recommend putting a guide on the aft side of the cam. as meririba mentions you wont be able to easily release your lines.

[meirriba]

A guide between your hand and a cleat is always bad idea.
I have addressed in my post above, a guide after the cleat, that is too close to the cleat and you sit/work from far enough to make release awkward.
So, the further you are from the cleat when you work the line, the distance between the guide and the cleat should be larger to ensure easy release.
You may experiment with helping hand holding the cleat on deck in various positions while you play with the line.

[aj911501]

Thank you for all of your responses!

Yeah, I guess I should have been more specific. I was thinking a guide either on top of the cleat or on the other side from my hand at a given distance.

But that all makes sense, and I'm glad to know it's common. Not a huge deal, just one of those quality of life things that may make it easier to tack while one of us is dealing with the littles in the cabin ��

[sanibel sailor]

Look closely at the front of your cleat. There may already be a couple of notches, as some camcleats are ready to have a wire guide fitted. The guide is available separately and doesn't require replacing the entire fitting.