MacGregorSailors.com

KHE,

For the Genoa the turning block is on the tracks on the side of the cockpit. Where is the EZ Cleat...on the same track but forward of the turning block?

Are you saying there are two cars on each track? 1 x turning block and 1 x EZ Cleat? The EZ Cleat is "in line" between the turning block and the winch?

And then the purpose of the EZ cleat is just to hold the tension after you have used the winch to put on the tension...allowing the sheet to come off the winch thus allowing the use of the winch for something else?

Thanks,
Jim

Ez cleat replaces the genoa car. It has a built in cam-cleat, but essentially desgined not to use winches.... i.e. the sheets run directly the EZs and cleat there.

I have a couple of EZ cleats and find that if I need to sheet in more in heavy winds I come to wind slightly until the sail luffs a bit and then pull HARD. So far I haven't needed a winch but I saw someone placed two winches on the stern gunwales. I have not completely thrown that idea out.

I guess you can scrap the cars and turn the sheet on the bullseye, but that has to be a high friction point in the rigging...

I used my EZ's this weekend for the first time . 15-18 knots of breeze with the JIB. I had no problem pulling the JIB in for pointing close. I like the EZ's and highly recommend them.

THANK YOU BILL

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:I now have a new, stronger version of my EZ Cleats. The cam cleat no longer swivels, but is attached to the car with an oval plate underneath it.
If you have the older, original version, that swivels, return them to me and I'll modify them, at no charge.
I'll pay for shipping both ways.
Or, if you prefer, return them for a full refund.
- Bill

This offer is still good.
I use them for my Jib sheets (thru the Jib blocks, along the top of the coaming, to my EZ Cleats), Genoa sheets (thru the Genoa blocks to my EZ Cleats), and Spinnaker sheets (directly to my EZ Cleats). If I want to tighten my sheets I do a quick turn into the wind, sheet in, and head out.
I use my winch to tighten my hammock on the fore-deck. I've heard that some people have other uses for their winches.
If the wind is on the nose, do you need a winch to tighten your sheets? - No
If the wind is on the beam, do you need a winch to tighten your sheets? - Maybe

I got a pair of these last December from Bill, and based on the pics I got the new version. I used them several times before selling my boat and they worked great. Way way way better than without them.

Bill, I don't have a set, but given the kudos here I'll have to consider it. How much $ for a pair outright?

Kevin, Don't know about the EZ cleats but Kelley Hansen caries the Garhauer Swivel Cam Cleats. KH I've had them for two seasons and I love them. Maybe someone here has had both and can tell us the difference in the Garhauer vs. EZ cleat.

JC

I have the Garhaur swivel cleats and have assumed they are similiar.
Love mine, bought them for the spinnaker but use them for the simplicity of single handing in light to moderate air. No need to come forward of the wheel area. Just come to wind a bit in moderate air if I need to harden the sheets.

kmclemore wrote:Bill, I don't have a set, but given the kudos here I'll have to consider it. How much $ for a pair outright?

$100 plus $10 for shipping.
Send me a regular email and I'll send you my Parts List.
I don't have them on my website yet.
I'm just starting to ramp up my parts business, again.

I like the new beefier design however...
With the old EZs I ran the sheets through a block on the coaming track. With the new design (fixed angle feed path), using the block has the sheets entering the new EZs at an angle and is more difficult to use.

I picked up the KH Garhauer cleats. Makes single handing sooo easy.
I've marked 6 1/2 knots reefed in 30 mph winds and never looked at
the winches. Gotta be quick to haul in when tacking so genny doesn't
get away from you. Even if it does I just head up a little, and put my
back into it. I've yet to see these things overpowered. Good idea.
L

I have had the Garhheuer for 2 seasons. Best mod done to the boat. Single hand tacking with the genoa is a cupcake!
One problem I did have was the genoa sheet would pull out of the cleat if I was running it reefed in high wind. The angle was too high,even with the fairlead.
Then I read Bill's comment about using the genoa car forward of the cleat. Voila! Problem solved. Thanks Bill!

What's the winch for?

KayakDan wrote:What's the winch for?

I use it to tighten up my hammock on the foredeck.