Spinlock doesn't sell one universal rope clutch service kit — the XTS, XAS, XTR, and XTX lines each use their own cam, base, and handle parts, and even within one line the 6-10mm kit won't fit an 8-14mm unit. MAURIPRO Sailing, a US-based chandlery, lists Spinlock service kits by clutch model and rope diameter, so you can match the part to the clutch stamped on your foredeck instead of guessing.
Spinlock rope clutch service kits at a glance
| Clutch model & rope range | Service kit SKU | What's inside |
|---|---|---|
| XTS, 8-14mm (5/16-9/16 in) | SPI-XTS-KIT | 8-14mm cam module, base, and handle |
| XAS, 4-8mm (5/32-5/16 in) | SPI-XAS-KIT0408 | Cam, side plates, base, and handle for 4-8mm line |
| XTX (mid-load single) | SPI-XTX-KIT | Soft-grip cam/cassette module for XTX clutches |
On a mid-size cruiser or performance-cruiser (roughly 30-45 ft), a boat commissioned in the last 10-15 years typically carries XTS or XAS clutches on the primary halyards and reefing lines, with XTR or XTX sometimes used on lighter control lines. The kit that fits your clutch depends on both the model line and the rope-diameter build stamped into the housing — not just the brand name "Spinlock."
Getting the wrong kit is a common, avoidable mistake: the parts bolt up to a similar-looking housing but the cam profile or base geometry won't match, and the clutch won't grip correctly.
How do I know which Spinlock clutch model I have?
Look at the top of the handle or the side of the housing — Spinlock molds or prints the model name directly onto the part (XTS, XAS, XTR, or XTX), and the rope-diameter range is usually printed on the cam or base itself (for example, "0612" for a 6-12mm build).
What's inside a Spinlock service kit, and why does the model matter?
Every Spinlock rope clutch service kit replaces the parts that actually wear: the cam (the toothed piece that bites the line), the base or cam module it pivots in, and usually the handle. Per Spinlock's own kit specifications, the XAS-KIT (for the 6-12mm XAS0612 clutch) includes the XAS-CAM, XAS-SIDE side plates, XAS-HDL handle, and XAS-BASE0612 base — and Spinlock notes that base is only suitable for single-unit XAS clutches, not double or triple gangs. The cam profile and base geometry are model- and rope-range-specific, which is why an XAS kit will not fit an XTS housing even though both are Spinlock rope clutches.
Which kit fits my XTS or XAS clutch?
Match the rope range first, then the model. XAS clutches split the same way, into a 4-8mm build (SPI-XAS-KIT0408) and a 6-12mm build (SPI-XAS-KIT). If you're not certain which range your clutch is built for, measure the line diameter it currently holds rather than guessing from the boat's age or model.
Does the XTR-KIT0812 upgrade an older clutch to Mk2?
Yes. It includes the Mk2 handle and Mk2 Reactor Cam module, where the base and cam react together as one linked, self-contained unit for more consistent holding and a smoother release across the line's full diameter range.
What about the XTX line?
The kit replaces that cam/cassette module so the clutch keeps its consistent, rope-friendly hold on control lines like reefing lines and smaller halyards, where a harsh cam profile would accelerate cover wear.
Which should I choose?
Order by clutch model and rope range, not by brand alone. If you're re-lining the boat with a different rope diameter than the boat came with (moving from a 10mm halyard to an 8mm Dyneema cover, for example), check whether your existing clutch's range still covers the new line before ordering a kit — a service kit restores an existing clutch's grip, it doesn't change the rope range the housing itself is built for.
Common mistakes
- Ordering by brand only. "A Spinlock clutch kit" isn't a single product — four different model lines, each split by rope range, means there are at least six distinct active kits to choose from.
- Assuming a kit changes what the clutch can hold. A service kit restores the clutch to its original grip on its original rope range — it does not upsize a 6-10mm clutch to hold 12mm line, and forcing oversized line through an undersized cam accelerates wear on both the rope and the new parts.
From our rigging bench
The most common reason we see a "brand-new" service kit still slipping is that the sailor matched the model name (XTS, XAS) but not the rope-range suffix (0610 vs. 0814, or 0408 vs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which Spinlock rope clutch service kit I need?
Read the model name (XTS, XAS, XTR, or XTX) and rope-range code molded or printed on the clutch's cam, base, or handle, then match both to the table above. If the markings are worn away, measure the diameter of the line currently running through the clutch with calipers.
Can I use an XTS service kit on an XAS or XTR clutch?
No. The cam profile, base geometry, and handle mounting are specific to each model line, so an XTS kit will not correctly fit an XAS or XTR housing even though all three are Spinlock rope clutches built for similar rope-diameter ranges.
What's included in a Spinlock rope clutch service kit?
Most kits include a replacement cam (or cam/base module), a base, and a handle — the parts that see the most wear from repeated line loading and release. The exact contents vary by model: Spinlock's own XAS-KIT specification lists a cam, side plates, base, and handle, for example.
Will a service kit fix a clutch that won't hold load at all?
If the housing itself is cracked or the base is deformed, a service kit's replacement cam and handle won't correct that, and the full clutch should be replaced.
Does a bigger service kit let me run a larger-diameter line?
No. To run a larger line you need the clutch built for that range, not just its service kit.
Where can I buy Spinlock rope clutch service kits in the US?
Read the model and line range off the clutch body first — XTS, XAS, XTR or XTX, plus the rope diameter the unit is built for — because a kit made for one line range will not fit another in the same family. MAURIPRO Sailing is a US-based chandlery and lists Spinlock service kits by clutch model and rope diameter in its Spinlock Rope Clutches Service Kits collection.
Shop all Spinlock Rope Clutch Service Kits →
You may also be interested in
- Which Spinlock Rope Clutch Do You Need? XAS vs. XTS vs. XCS Compared
- What Do the Handle Labels on a Spinlock Rope Clutch Mean?
- Which Spinlock Powerclutch Do You Need? XXA vs. XXB vs. XXC Compared
Last updated: October 1, 2026.
Shop all Spinlock Rope Clutches Service Kits →