Installing Roller Furler

[John Thomas]

I am about to install a new roller furler on my 1986 H23 and have run into a snag. I need to raise the furling drum well above the boat deck so the anchor locker doors will clear it and being that the stem fitting is recesed in the anchor locker well below the boat deck, I need to find an extension of about 10.5 inches from the stem fitting to the lower end of the turnbuckle toggle. I have found nothing that will do the job alone. I have however found an 8" tang made by Schafer Marine that might work if used with an eye jaw and a double jaw toggle at the stem fitting to give it more length. I'd prefer a single piece, but I think I'd have to have it made special. Does anyone have a suggestion on this?Also I am going to have to shorten the headstay. To do this I am going to use a Sta-Loc stud fitting. My headstay wire is 5/32" and the pin size at the stem fitting is 5/16", but the turnbuckle is 1/4". I am told that it might be a good idea to change the turnbuckle to a 5/16" to make everything the same size. It would also I assume add strength to the rigging. Sta-Loc makes a 5/16" stud fitting for 5/32" wire size. It would be a bit more expensive and I think it will be okay to use the old turnbuckle, but I thought I'd ask here before I made my final decision. Any thoughts?

 

[Jerry]

My Furler Installation

John,I ran into exactly the same problem when I installed my Hood Seaflex Furler on my H23. My forstay ends in a turnbuckle with a clevis and a 1/4" pin. A shackle through the pin attaches the forstay to the bow in the anchor well. I tried two thin strips of stainless stock (about 7/8 wide by 1/16 thick, but they didn't have enough torsional rigidity to wind the sail in windy conditions. I am using two strips of stainless steel 1 3/16 wide by 1/8 thick by 11 5/8 long. Each piece has holes spaced at 1/2, 1 5/8, and 10 5/8. I used a 1/4 by 1 1/4 clevis pin at the bottom that also runs through the fork at the end of the turnbuckle and the shackle for the forstay. I wrap the SS strips with white tape so it doesn't mar the anchor well covers.I can send you digital pictures of the installation if you'd like.Regards,Jerry

 

[John Thomas]

Thanks Jerry

Jerry,Thnaks for the valuable info. I don't believe I had really thought about the "torsional rigidity" factor. I have decided today to change my turnbuckle to a 5/16" and use 5/16" The holes in either end are only 3/16" and will have to be drilled to accept a 5/16" pin. This will compromize the integrity of the tang and so the holes will have to be reinforced with a SS 5/16" washer that will be welded onto both tangs on one side. I was then going to have the 2 tangs welded together. I am not sure if this will give the necessary torsional rigidity or not. Any thoughts?I would really appreciate some pics of your roller furler set-up. You can email me at johnthomas01@mediaone.net .Thnaks again,John