Ahoy LooserLu,
In the end happy with XD kit, but feel sorry for losing the hook, as I could have used it for fishing.
But this is now making me wonder if I want to continue sailing with the clew hook.
...the "Harken Clew Hook" and the hook used at the "Harken Clew Sleeve" are brothers, but not twin brothers...
I think the clew hook sold by itself is the same as the one sold with the clew sleeve - today.
Originally, the clew hook had a much smaller/shorter "tail" on the hook (I have that one, and it detached regularly!) I have replaced with a newer model, and have not had any unexpected detachments.
Before completely stopping use of a clew hook, you might want to do a side by side comparison of a new hook to your old one - perhaps you will find they are different.
Of course, nothing is as secure as the Velcro strap and halyard shackle!
Your first picture shows the 2 clew hooks I have, the older, shorter one on the bottom, and recently purchased (2008?) one on the top.
I bought my new hook by itself (not with the clew sleeve) - I think the hook is the same, with or without the clew sleeve.
Merrily, the hook of the prototype of the Harken Clew Sleeve is not on the photo at my reply above. On my photo is the old Harken Clew Hook (, sold up to ~2007). and above this hook one views to the new optimized hook for the Harken Clew Sleeve. This hook, on that photo, I took from a class legal actual purchased Harken Clew Sleeve (I only would use this official sleeve for official races, where measurers not permit me to use the prototype).Actually, the hook on the clew sleeve has a slightly different curve.
The proto-type model that I gifted to LooserLu has a hook that is the same as those used alone. The one change to the final model in use now was a small change to the hook.
[FONT="]Bought myself a nifty ’88 Laser which came along with XD rigging. After years on shore and unacquainted with this type of rigging, I went straight into the Sunday’s club race, which – as you can imagine – did not work out as anticipated. Especially the clew hook lost its hold on the sail, and went diving together with its associated block. Anyway I won’t miss the daft implement, as it’s impossible to fit once afloat. Rest of the day I carried on traditionally rigged. Nevertheless this easily adjustable XD outhaul with its bungee seems quite neat, so I’d like to try it again later on. Can I secure the block on the clew with a small line, or is the hook there for some obscure reason other than inconvenience?[/FONT]
I tried the Harken 'hook' and also the Harken boom slider assembly / device - I subsequently found out that the eye / cringle on the Rooster 8.1 sail was slightly fatter than the one on a standard sail and that it didn't locate securely when I used that rig. In the end I attached a spring loaded Holt hook (see attached pic) to a 16mm Harken block and it works very well indeed in conjunction with a velcro strap. It works for me anyway !
Nigel
Originally Posted by Webmuppet
I tried the Harken 'hook' and also the Harken boom slider assembly / device - I subsequently found out that the eye / cringle on the Rooster 8.1 sail was slightly fatter than the one on a standard sail and that it didn't locate securely when I used that rig. In the end I attached a spring loaded Holt hook (see attached pic) to a 16mm Harken block and it works very well indeed in conjunction with a velcro strap. It works for me anyway !
Nigel
That's exactly what I have, no problems with un hooking here
But is it legal ?