Custom toggles and 3/4 inch turnbuckles

[steveebryant]

I have a Hunter 30. There is a headsail furler well in the bow of the boat. I have purchased a new Hood furler “Sea furl 5.” The furler drum is a little larger in diameter than the original furler that was on the boat when I purchased it; hence, the freedom of movement within the confines of the well, more specifically, the vertical adjustment, is critical. This ability to adjust the vertical length within the furler well is the basis of my two questions presented later in this message.
This new furler will connect to a point different than the connecting point of the original furler. The new connecting point is 3 inches lower and 1-3/8 inches aft of the original connecting point within the furler well.
According to the math, this new location will result in an additional 2.5 inches length needed in the head stay. The original head stay was damaged and is going to be replaced. I am not certain where the original turnbuckle was positioned on the original head stay. I will be sending the rigger the original, damaged, head stay and ask them to build me a new one only 2.5 inches longer in keeping with the new furler head stay attachment position. The final length of the new head stay will also take into consideration the length made up by the furler body itself. All of the above should be no problem for the rigger; however, the following presents a problem to me:
I want to keep the furler drum in the furler well as the boat was original designed rather than above the deck. I believe that will be possible if I can find a toggle that will fit on the end of furler and to the new connecting point in the furler well; due to the confines of the furler well and the dimensions of the furler drum, it is necessary that the toggle measure 188mm i.e., not more than 7.5 inches from pin center to pin center. 3/5 inch pins.
Here is an important point of clarification:
The connecting point, in the furler well, is a horizontal 3/4 inch bar about 2.5 inches long.
Two questions:
1. Can I purchase a toggle of these specific dimensions, i.e., 188mm pin center to pin center?
2. Can I purchase a ¾” turn buckle that can be adjusted around the critical 188mm limitation of my furler well?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Stu Jackson]

Interesting question

Steve, given the complexity of your situation, and BTW your very good description, I would ask your rigger. Why not just get him down to the boat? It would seem that "your" decision to extend the new forestay that particular 2.5 inches may, just may, not be the way to go if the rigger decides on different geometry due to to what fittings are available on the market. Why not simply have the rigger figure all this out, given your design criteria of having the drum below the deck? By splitting the "responsibility" for things to fit, you're setting yourself up for a possible problem.

 

[steveebryant]

Re: Interesting question

Thanks Stew, but I will need to work through this one myself ( a little help from my friends) unless you know of a rigger here in Oklahoma City. I really do not know of anyone who truly is a rigger. There may actually be one here but doubt it. If there were one, I would probably consider it.
Steve
405-401-5369

 

[Ross]

Re: Interesting question

Chain is a valid substitute for a toggle. I do wonder why you are mixing metric and inch measurements and I don't know about a 3/5 inch pin or a 3/4 turnbuckle, maybe you need to check you numbers. Turnbuckles and defined by screw sizes and a 3/4 inch turnbuckle is huge.

 

[steveebryant]

Re: Interesting question

Thanks for the corrections. Thanks for the suggestion. I believe it will solve the problem if I can’t find a more proper (and inexpensive) solution.

Yes that 4/5 should be 3/4.

Concering the mixing of units, when I was taking the measurements, I was using a metric measuring tool. Useful readings there were in millimeters. I really have only a workable range of 20 millimeters in the well with my new furler. In communicating my problem as succinctly as possible, I took the liberty of doing the simple conversion for you as most folks around here do think in terms of inches too.

Regarding the turnbuckle, I really didn’t know how to describe its size and I still don’t. I thought I heard someone, a local Okie rigger, speak of it as a ¾” turnbuckle. Clearly, I should have checked that source. The shroud that connects to the turnbuckle measures 7/32” in diameter.

Thanks again for you(r) input. It has made my plea more clear even in light of the apparent fact that a chain will likely do the trick.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Ross]

Re: Interesting question

Most of us can work in metric or inches. 20 mm is a bit over 3/4 inches. ..0394 inches is 1 mm. 1/32 inch is about 3/4 mm.

 

[steveebryant]

yeah, that and 0.034 Euros will get you a cup of coffee.
Thanks again Ross. I really do appreciate your clarification and suggestion. I think the chain will do the trick. As hard as I try to avoid them, I still encounter those speed bumps.
Steve

Most of us can work in metric or inches. 20 mm is a bit over 3/4 inches. ..0394 inches is 1 mm. 1/32 inch is about 3/4 mm.