Are spinlock line clutches adjustable?

[Jim Cosgrove]

This spinlock line clutch worked easily when the lines were new. Now. A few years later and   presumably the line has swelled. The clutch handles are almost impossible to fully close without a great deal of force. Is there an adjustment somewhere on the clutch?

Jim Cosgrove

FATE 30U #343

Galesville MD

[Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)]

Jim,

I did a quick web search and it looks like the Spinlock website offers replacement parts and has manuals for servicing and repair.

I don't know exactly what you have, so I can't direct you closer than https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en-us/hardware/hardware-product-intructions

(The misspelling of "instructions" in that url is theirs, not mine; the link should work.)

If you get there and scroll through it, you'll find instructions for XA. XC, XT, etc., etc. clutches.  You can download those and see if they help you.

Now I have to go see what's on my boat and download the right ones for myself.  They're not as bad as you describe, but I did have looking at them in the back of my mind because of similar concerns.

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch 26U #233

[Don Crossley]

I have rebuilt/repaired them several times on former sloop boat. I don't believe they adjust, but you can replace cam to accommodate a different size of rope. Usually the repair is to replace broken handle or worn gnarly bits on the cam where rope has worn them down. Never had problem closing them. Parts are easy to get.

Perhaps first pull rope out and see if clutch is still difficult to open/close. Could be yours has some dirt built up over the years, or other debris? Have you ever lubed the cam?

You can gently tap the pin out that the handles pivot on to get access to clean and inspect internals. They are fairly simply design, not complicated, few parts.

Hope that helps,

Don