Bent jaw toggles on lower shrouds

[Dolphin55]

Don't know exactly how this happened. Somehow the jaw toggles got bent as I was raising the mast on my Hunter 240. Any advice on how to avoid bending my jaw toggles when raising the mast on my Hunter 240?

 

[Tom J]

Can't tell from the picture how this happened. Was the clevis secured to the chainplate while the mast was raised? Only you can tell us what happened, and go from there.

 

[Dolphin55]

Yes, it was attached. Wish I knew exactly what happened. I thought that I was being careful - I even lubricated each toggle with WD40 before raising the mast.

 

[kgibson4]

When raising the mast on my H23, I bungee the slack shrouds to the lifeline so that the turnbuckles are standing upright. When the shrouds become taut the bungee stretches. I don't know if this would work on a H240.

 

[rgranger]

I’ve done that more than once

try to get in the habit of stopping when the mast is halfway up and check your toggles

 

[RussC]

1/4" bolt 2 1/2" long with nyloc nut keeps the toggles from falling over wile raising the mast. toggles only flex in one direction and they protest severely when forced otherwise.

 

[cb32863]

Use white electrical tape and tape your shrouds vertical to your lifelines. They let go when the mast is pretty much all the way up. Things twist and get caught raising a mast, lots of obvious leverage in that process.

 

[caverun]

Very common problem on the Hunter water ballast boats. Make sure the toggle/turnbuckle is standing straight up at the top of the U-bolt- I use bungee cords to attach the turnbuckles to the lifelines above, tape works well too.

 

[Dolphin55]

Thanks, guys. It is wonderful to have such a responsive support group! No more bent toggles!

 

[TRFrederick]

I have same problem with ’95 h23.5 every time I step it even though the “chain plate” is merely a U-bolt. Ex-wife’s job was to wiggle stuff to prevent binding as the mast approached vertical. Next time I go will be single-handed so will use bungee or something (much less hassle than ex ). It’s not much of a bother when you have the knowledge to keep an eye on it and go slow as the slack starts to come out of the shrouds.

 

[bmorr]

11 years ago when I first raised the mast on my 26 the same thing happened. I replaced them and now run a line to the lifeline to hold turnbuckle in alignment. No problems since.

 

[rgranger]

I actually ordered a set of spares from this site... because I knew no matter how much I wanted to be careful... I was going to bend them again.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

When the turnbuckle stud is bent , you will need to replace the turnbuckle stud. You will need to know if it is a right or left hand thread.
To avoid this, about 60-65 degrees with the mast up, you need to check the shroud studs to make sure they are not binding. I suggest shaking that out. In addition, make sure the shrouds and halyards are not caught if you feel additional pressure when raising the mast. This is based on experience plus I designed the mast raising system.