Constrictor system does not crush rope

The Constrictor system does not crush rope between two metal surfaces

Unlike conventional clutches the Constrictor system available from SailTek does not crush rope between two metal surfaces.

Instead, points out Jason Belben who heads SailTek, the loaded rope is held securely in a textile sock that is itself attached to an anchor base.

The rope runs freely through the sock in one direction, but is gripped within the sock when running out in the opposite direction with holding power increased as the load increases.

“We’ve been supplying a lot of these including to the Open 60 Hugo Boss,” said Mr Belben. “They are filtering down to mainstream boats. A lanyard attached to the end of the sock is pulled to easily and safely release the line when it’s under load.

“The Constrictor is also weight saving – it’s around a third of the weight of conventional rope clutches – and is not so aggressive with the rope.”

The constrictor effect has been patented by COUSIN Trestec and is designed to provide increasing holding power as the load increases.

A laminating solution has also been developed to install the Constrictor without any bolts, for seamless transfer of rigging loads to the boat structure.

Also available from SailTek is a range of continuous line furlers from Ronstan.

The top- down furler is designed for the tack of the sail to be attached to the ‘floating’ swivel collar on the top down adapter unit with the head of the sail attached to the top swivel. Furling begins at the top of the sail and continues progressively from the head down to the tack.

The system allows soft luff and full mid-section sails such as reachers and gennakers to be furled.

via Boating Business | Constrictor system does not crush rope.