What Is a Line Clutch?
A lever-operated device with toothed jaws that locks a line under load - the key to one winch serving several lines.
A line clutch is a mechanism that grips the line passing through it with toothed jaws, taking the load so it can be released when the lever is lifted. It means one winch can serve several lines in turn: tension the line, close the clutch, and free up the winch.
It is the hidden hero of cockpit ergonomics, but it has two drawbacks: the jaws will gradually wear the line cover, and a clutch opened in the wrong order can let a loaded line run free.
Safe use
Take it to the winch first: before opening a clutch under load, always put the line on the winch first (to protect fingers and avoid burns).
Shift the line: sheets and halyards left sitting in the same spot will be chafed through there; moving the line a few centimetres now and then extends its life.
Winter: at the end of the season, leave all clutches open for winter storage; a closed jaw will leave a mark on the line over winter.
A slipping clutch usually means worn jaws or a line that has thinned down; the clutch size must match the line diameter. A halyard whose cover has been worn through usually does not need a full replacement, but end-for-end turning instead.