H-23 Forestay Length

[fleetswell]

Hi All. I need some help with forestay on my Hunter 23. When I purchased her a CDI roller furler had been installedabove the anchor locker hatches using very light weight chain plates attached between the furler and the existing factory chain plate in the anchor locker. These "added" chain plates are about 14gauge metal and have twisted over time. Further, they are about 2inches too short and it's really difficult to open the anchor locker hatches....
So, I got a 3/16" x 1" piece of 316 stainless steel flat stock and fabricated a pair of chainplates that are 3 inches longer than the thin ones that had twisted. I can cut my existing forestay 3" shorter and swage on another turnbuckle end, no problem. I'm not sure if the entire forestay (presumably installed in 1986) should be replaced or if not, or if it was cut to the correct length by the previous owner when the furler was installed.
Here are the questions...
1. What is the overall factory length of the stay from the center of the shackle at the factory anchor locker chain plate to the "tang" that slips into the mast? 2. To minimize fatigue on the forestay, would you add a toggle at the mast end of the forestay? The base of the furler drum attaches to the chain plate with a toggle.
Thanks for the help
Chuck

 

[MrUnix]

From what I understand, the "eye to eye" length of the headstay on the H23 is 27 foot 11 3/4 inches from turnbuckle to tee ball. It was the same length across all years produced.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[fleetswell]

Was that measurement including the turnbuckle to its point of attachment with pin to the factory chain plate in anchor locker??

 

[MrUnix]

Was that measurement including the turnbuckle to its point of attachment with pin to the factory chain plate in anchor locker??

I got that measurement directly from Hunter Marine.. it was simply listed as:

Headstay:
5/32 wire - Turnbuckle to Tee Ball; eye to eye 27' 11 3/4"

I don't know if that length includes the turnbuckle or not.. When I get the chance, I'll physically measure it to see if it does.. or if anyone else with easier access can do it, please chime in!

Cheers,
Brad

 

[DJN51]

Check out sesmiths post [demasted check your forestay] this forum.Has a picture of swivle at mast which I added to my forestay.It will allow furler to move in multiple ways ,taking strain off t -ball at mast.Call Bill Fastiggi 802 655 7245 Vermont sailing partners.Great guy to work with.Om my 23.5 measurement is [center pin to center t ball] this includes turnbuckle.

 

[Alan]

If you don't know the age of the headstay I would definitely replace it with new. To obtain the correct length use the old one to set the amount of mast rake designed for the boat (4.5" to 5"). After you have set the rake you can lower the mast and measure the pin to T ball length leaving a few inches either side of the turnbuckle mid range setting for future adjustments. Using an older headstay is a gamble at best.