STA-LOK installation tips

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BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
My new backstay arrived yesterday from Rigging Only. I had it cut a little long and supplied with a STA-LOK stud to fit in the new turnbuckle I also bought.

Any tips for installation? The instructions say to cut with a fine bladed hacksaw, but I have a dremel I could also use, if so recommended.

My Wife is going to kill me buy I am so going to the boat soon so they can launch it otherwise I will never get the stay replaced before the 4th!

Bob
 
SamLust

SamLust

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Jan 2, 2008
547
Hunter 33 (Cherubini design Forked River, Barnegat Bay, NJ
The best tip is to follow the included instructions closely. There are no short-cuts. I was told to use 5200 on final assembly and have no problems so far but it has been only 10 years. Better choice might be a non-silicone - non-5200 caulk. All it has to do is keep water out.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Use the dremel tool to cut, and make a square cut. Tape the location of the cut and cut in the middle of the tape so the strands don't wander. Most caulks may well render the fitting not reusable, so go with silicone. I think that's in the directions, and really, you are just keeping the water out, not glueing it shut.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
If you're using a dremel to cut the wire rope, don't use a cutting disk but a regular saw blade. The carbide disks can "melt" the stainless and create a mess of the ends of the cable. Using a handheld fine-toothed bi-metal blade hacksaw is probably a better way to do it, if a bit slower.

Taping the area to cut is a great idea and helps you keep the cut neat and square.

I'd use 3M 4000 instead of 5200, since if you do have to disassemble it, you'll regret using 5200. :)
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I have done only the sta-loks for my boat so I can't claim vast experience. The instructions called for silicone caulk/sealant for filling the fitting. I bought a purpose made cable shear but a fine tooth hacksaw would have served. Nothing more course than 32 teeth per inch. I followed the instructions in absolute detail because I had not done this before and if I had to do another set I would still follow the instructions to the letter.
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Thanks folks...how about allowing for stretch in the new backstay? Should I try to set it up so that the turnbuckle is in the middle of adjustment or plan for some stretch and go for more like a third to give me room to tighten?
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I didn't observe any need to tighten a second time.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
aim for about a third.. :) it will stretch a bit.
BobM said:
Thanks folks...how about allowing for stretch in the new backstay? Should I try to set it up so that the turnbuckle is in the middle of adjustment or plan for some stretch and go for more like a third to give me room to tighten?
Click to expand
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Do not use silicone

Do not use silicone unless you know for a fact that it is an acid free silicone. Most silicone caulks contain acids.

My friend Rich did about the best Sta-Lok instructions I've seen..

Installing Sta-Lok Fittings (LINK)
 
Prime Time

Prime Time

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Sep 25, 2008
544
Bristol 43.3 Perth Amboy
Tip

Place some tape around the stay beyond where you are going to unwind the wire to lay on the wedge. This can help prevent the wire from unwinding beyond where you want to work. I have cut with both a hack saw and a dremel. Either works but make sure that you are cutting the wire square. I would not use 5200 in case you wanted to redo the joint in the future. Use a marine silicone or household silicone without that vinegar acidic smell. Also, lock tite on the threads.
 
Manny

Manny

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Oct 5, 2006
983
Hunter 82? 37 Cutter Wherever the wind takes me
I while back I was on a sail boat with sta-loks for the fittings. I inquired about the type of sealant they used and I was told it was wax. Seems like a good alternative.

Manny
 
Timo42

Timo42

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Mar 26, 2007
1,042
Venture 22 Marina del Rey
Hacksaw worked fine for me, make sure there aren't any burrs or rough surfaces on the wrenches you use, you don't want to scratch the fittings. Question, why not go with an adjustable backstay as long as you are making a new one anyway? Mine has come in handy on occasion to depower the rig. Tim
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Thanks for the link ME, it was very informative. Does the former come out after it is used or does it stay in the fitting? The link isn't clear on that.

Regarding a back stay adjuster. I thought briefly about it, but haven't looked into it. One difficulty is that with an aft traveler there is a lot going on back there already. Any suggestions? From what little I know, some options can be pricey.
 
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