The Wrong Angle: Why Your Cam Cleats Won’t Hold or Release

Our tests reveal exactly how entry and exit angles affect holding and release forces—and why Dyneema demands different tactics than polyester.

By
Drew Frye
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(Photo/ Drew Frye)

Cam cleats are a marvel for their ability to quickly hold and then release lines under moderate tension. They are found on the simplest of dinghies, Olympic sailing machines, family cruisers and round-the-world boats. They also have their limits. They are intended only for lines that can be hand held, they can be hard to release under load, and they can fail to hold if the line enters at a foul angle.

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Drew Frye
Drew Frye, Practical Sailor’s technical editor, has used his background in chemistry and engineering to help guide Practical Sailor toward some of the most important topics covered during the past 10 years. His in-depth reporting on everything from anchors to safety tethers to fuel additives have netted multiple awards from Boating Writers International. With more than three decades of experience as a refinery engineer and a sailor, he has a knack for discovering money-saving “home-brew” products or “hacks” that make boating affordable for almost anyone. He has conducted dozens of tests for Practical Sailor and published over 200 articles on sailing equipment. His rigorous testing has prompted the improvement and introduction of several marine products that might not exist without his input. His book “Rigging Modern Anchors” has won wide praise for introducing the use of modern materials and novel techniques to solve an array of anchoring challenges. 

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