Legend has it that Einstein once said “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”
In truth, the quote isn’t actually Einstein’s, but he did agree with it.
And so do I, especially when it comes to jam cleats.
Years ago, I became frustrated with the cam cleats and horn cleats that I used for my halyards, roller furler, and centerboard lift. Cam cleats can all too easily be released accidentally. Horn cleats take longer to tie off and usually require two hands to make fast (unless you’re some sort of one-handed horn-cleating ninja). They require too much attention for too long when things get hectic.
What I really wanted was a cleat that would hold a line fast by simply and quickly wrapping one turn around it, using only one hand.
But I also wanted the ability to secure the line to the cleat with no possibility of it accidentally releasing.
And I needed two sizes, but wanted the option to swap one size for the other without having to drill more mounting holes.
I also wanted something I could make myself because, well, that’s what I do.
And of course they had to be “as simple as possible, but no simpler”.
This is what I came up with.
These jam cleats are made from a scrap of 3/4” hardwood (1/2” for the smaller cleat). I used white oak and painted them black. Pretty much any type of hardwood and finish will do. For best results, use a strong wood, with the grain running lengthwise, and a finish that’s not too slippery. I suggest bare or oiled wood, painted rather than varnished for example. Simply cut them out, round over all but the bottom edges, drill two countersunk mounting holes and that’s it.
Here are the cleats with a single turn around them. One wrap plus a tug to jam the line under the horn is all it takes to make them hold securely. I haven’t had an unintentional release yet.
For ultimate security, add a hitch around the horn like this.
I do both. When things are hectic, I do the one-handed wrap-and-tug. After things settle down, I go back and add the hitch. Then I can relax.
I made two variations of this jam cleat which I'll dub the Single Jammer and the Double Jammer.
With the Single Jammer cleat, you route the line around the aft end of the cleat, pull the line forward to tighten, then wrap around the forward end of the cleat to secure.
I
prefer the Double Jammer cleat if the line already has a lot of tension on it.
Wrapping the line around the aft end of the cleat secures the line
instantly. Then, wrapping the line around the forward end of the cleat
secures the line even more.
I’ve been using these cleats for several years now, and I absolutely love them. Here are the plans if you would like to make some for yourself. Download .zip
