Harken Clew Sleeve

laser138450

New Member
I am thinking about getting the harken clew sleeve but i before doing so, i want to know how to get one on the boom. Surely it the mainsheet blocks would get in the way of putting one on! I've never seen them in use and the internet doesn't provide much assistance
 
easy...you take the pin ot that holds the hook and the split ends of the sleeve together. Ease the sleeve open, fit over the boom then replace the pin.

I'm sure many will opine with tales of woe and loosed clews but i've had mine for two years now and it has behaved perfectly in all conditions.
 
It is very easy if you follow the (very simple) instructions supplied by Harken with the sleeve.

I bought one 12 months ago and had zero problems fitting and using. When you fit the sleeve, spray the boom area where the sleeve slides with a little 'dry lube' and again periodically to stop any sticking.
 
Re: Harken Clew Sleeve - how to attach shock cord?

I recently fitted one of these, and yes, installation is easy. However, I found that easing the out-haul in light air isn't so easy. The sleeve barely slides on the boom. With sail tension on the sleeve to square it with the boom, it hauls out fine, but the only way I can get it to ease off is to point up wind so I can get a hand on the sleeve it's self and slide it forward on the boom by hand.

Has anyone found a good way to attach a shock cord to the Harken sleeve to help with this? It seems like an even pull will be essential to avoid binding.

(Yes, I buffed the end of the boom where the sleeve slides & sprayed it with silicone)
 
Re: Harken Clew Sleeve - how to attach shock cord?

Has anyone found a good way to attach a shock cord to the Harken sleeve to help with this? It seems like an even pull will be essential to avoid binding.

I used a hog ring to make a secure loop on one end of the shock cord, then took some very small diameter high tech line and tied it to the pin holding the clew hook on the sleeve, using several wraps. The other end of the shock cord goes through the cleat on top of the boom. It works great to prevent binding in light air.
 
It is too bad that this idea was half baked, the wrong materials were selected or not engineered fully

I tried mine for a little while and it makes a mess of the boom as stainless steel sliding on anodized aluminum will eventually scape all the finish

it should have been designed with a thin plastic/teflon insert under the sleeve
 

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