Cleat on mast below winch

Submitted by JHS on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 19:21
My 1978 FS has a plastic?/nylon? cleat mounted on the mast, in the sail track, right below the winch assembly. It runs vertically and does a great job at grabbing a flapping jib sheet when I tack in strong wind and holding it for me so I have to jump forward and release it while I hope the tiller stays relatively straight. Does anyone else have this? Is this a factory install or was it done afterwards? What is it for, docking? There is also a screw that seems to be in there hold the bar into which the cleat's mounting screws are screwed. Any input would be great, thanks. "If the sea did wild or wicked things, it was because she could not help them." - Hemmingway
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Comments

The cleat can be used for basically nothing, and you are right,

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 19:27.
The cleat can be used for basically nothing, and you are right, it can catch a flapping jib sheet. The metal slug that it screws into, serves to keep the pin for the mast hinge from sliding up the track as you raise the mast. The slug must be in place to use the mast hinge. I took off the cleat and put the slug back in, bottoming the screw in the sail track, so the slug can't slide. You will notice that when the mast is up, the bottom of the slug sits nearly in contact with the top of the pin on the mast hinge. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club

I had the same cleat on my Flying Scot (1976) and removed it.

Submitted by flyingscotsa on Sat, 09/27/2008 - 09:05.
I had the same cleat on my Flying Scot (1976) and removed it. I think it may have been used to cleat a topping lift? I am just guessing here... Just make sure to use screws / bolts with a rounded head. A hex head that sticks out can still grab the jib sheet.

I actually added that to my vintage Scot.

Submitted by SavageViews on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 22:53.
I actually added that to my vintage Scot. I use mine for the Cunningham (main downhaul).