DaySailer.org Forum

i am thinkig of switching to cheek blocks on mast. i was wondering if i could use cam cleats on the deck instead of normal cleats anyone have this set up

I've seen it on many boats, shouldn't be a problem

I am actually installing Harken 140 turning block with cam cleats at my mast base. So you do not need to put them onto a horn cleat. Easy release too.

My boat came with cheek blocks and conventional cleats. I switched to cam cleats (actually used my old non-swiveling jib cleats) on the cabin top. A great improvement. First of all, it's easier to get the halyards tight. Secondly, in an emergency, you can douse the sails in a second. The only complication I ran into was that the combing above the cabin door got in the way of the line where it exited the cleat. (I could have mounted the cleat farther forward, but I was trying to use the existing holes from the old cleats.) I solved the problem by shimming the cleat up 1" with an oak block. Harken also makes 1" shims (straight and canted) for their cam cleats.