Cam cleat conversion ?

Has anyone tried to swap the OEM Seaway cam cleats on the Jib and Main blocks with Harken cam cleats? I found the specs on the Harken, but cannot locate any specs for Seaway... primarily hole spacing.
I've measured the Seaway, but not with a caliper, so I cannot be sure it's an exact fit.
I recall many years ago when I had a H16, that to do this, an adapter plate was needed? God I hope that's not the case with the H18.
Thanks for your reply.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

Chris,

The spacing on the Harken cleats is just a little closer than the spacing on the seaway cleats.

I have swapped them out many times without using an adapter plate by using a drill bit, and applying sideways pressure to elongate the holes in the mounting flats on the block.

Takes a few minutes because the stainless material is very hard, but it is really not all that difficult.

The benefit is that it only represents a minimal an investment of time rather than money spent on adapter plates, and there is no additional bulk added to the assembly.

I have never had any problems using this method of adapting the harken cleat to the seaway block.

Stephen

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

You don't want to use the adapter plates. Drilling as stated above is a easy fix. I suggest replacing the whole deal with lighter,smaller, better harken blocks.

Ronstan makes a damn good cleat (just check out a new 16)

It get tired of the springs breaking in the H150's

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Thanks for the info on the Harken cleats. There's no way I'd want to use an adapter.
So you say the Harken 150's tend to break their springs? Which Ronstan cleat are you referring to as a replacement?.. and do you know how they fit the Seaway mount?

Since I'm restoring my '88 H18 this season, at present I'll stay with the OEM blocks. Maybe next year I'll upgrade to the Harken blocks. Got a daughter going to college in the Fall of '09!

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

Ronstan 5011

38mm is 1.5" spacing


Don't get me wrong HARKEN is excellent product, but my choice on a complete retrofit would be all Harken blocks, except for the cam cleats.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

My youngest just graduated in May......... Hurrahhhhhhhh

I get a raise this year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time in 8 years, I no longer feel your pain !

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Though this one needed a bump back up. So the cam cleats on a H18 seaway jib block can be swapped out. I have 2 harken jib blocks I want to install could I just use a dremel and cut the seaway blocks off the traveler car and use a small shackle on the Harken blocks?

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Either that, or a little more expensive opition is to buy these from Murrays

http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=21-0371&Category_Code=C-J&Store_Code=MS

This keeps the seaways good as a back up, or you can sell them

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Bruce
78 Hobie 18
#1159

oh look... my thread has resurfaced!

ncmbm (Mark, Mike?) suggested changing the jib blocks over to a smaller and lighter unit. what has anyone used? part numbers?

I'm still paying for college!

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

I just do not want to spend anymore cash or time on this 27 year old boat till I take it out a few times. I think for now I am going to pull the cleats off my spare Harkin blocks and rig the seaway blocks to make them fit like someone mentioned above.

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

I did not get a chance to do this can someone tell me if the old metal cleats will tear up my brand new 5/16 tropthy braid?

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing