Twisted forestay toggle

Sailing Amok · April 08, 2025, 02:27:11 PM

The lower toggle on my forestay has a 20 degree twist in it. I suspect it occurred while trying to furl on a particularly intense day late last August. I reached out to Garhauer, and it does not appear to be one of their parts. Any ideas on who Catalina may have been sourcing from in 1998?
Aaron

Noah · April 08, 2025, 02:43:29 PM

Might help to post a photo?

Stu Jackson · April 09, 2025, 09:51:05 AM

Wouldn't your forestay have been provided by Catalina Yachts, even as long ago as 1998? Have you tried calling them? Also, toggles are a simple piece of basic equipment that any decent chandlerey should be able to source/provide.

Ron Hill · April 09, 2025, 02:45:01 PM

Aaron : If it still functions - just leave it as is!!

A thought

Noah · April 09, 2025, 04:12:16 PM

If it was mine I would not trust s toggle that had been unintentionally bent 20-degrees.

Sailing Amok · April 10, 2025, 04:52:44 AM

Hey folks, sorry, I had intended to post a photo, but I guess it didn't upload! Sorry for the poor quality, but it's a screenshot from a video I took during the summer. I'm definitely not comfortable with that much distortion in a piece of rigging. Though, in my conversations with Garhauer, I also mentioned that many of my other toggles are splayed. They weren't concerned about those, and said "they all end up like that eventually." But the splayed toggles concern me far less than this twisted one. While we're on the subject of rigging, and potential failures, has anyone ever heard of one of our boats being dismasted? I've never come across a story.

scgunner · April 10, 2025, 06:00:58 AM

Aaron,

I don't see an immanent danger of failure since it's just got a twist and doesn't appear fatigued but for peace of mind replacing it wouldn't be a bad idea, it looks like a standard piece of hardware.

Jim Hardesty · April 10, 2025, 06:27:15 AM

Aaron,
If it were me, I would replace. Also, that was a lot of force. I would also do a careful inspect the rest of the furler and forestay. A lot more force was used then it was designed for. To get you started on your search for a replacement.
https://www.westmarine.com/alexander-roberts-eye-jaw-toggles-P002_065_008_004.html
Jim

Sailing Amok · April 10, 2025, 07:22:51 AM

Thanks guys, yeah, I'll have to measure it so I can order a replacement, just as soon as I can get the winter cover off. I'm wondering if a bearing may be shot in the furler, causing the whole thing to have twisted, rather than the furler turning. I've never actually removed the furler from the forestay. Is it a difficult process? Any idea if these bearings are serviceable? It's a Schaefer.

Noah · April 10, 2025, 08:33:13 AM

Call Schaefer about whether bearings are replaceable etc. It is also probably their toggle as well.

scgunner · April 11, 2025, 06:31:29 AM

Aaron,

Is this something that happened suddenly, or over time, or have you just noticed it? Before doing anything else I'd check the furler, on a calm day you should be able to pull it out smoothly by hand. If the action is stiff or clicks or offers a lot of resistance you've probably found the cause.

Sailing Amok · April 21, 2025, 05:23:40 AM

I didn't notice it until the end of last season.never any issues unfurling. I think it happened suddenly. There was on day we got caught out in some pretty wild weather. Even heading up I had to use all my strength to furl in the head sail, with a which, to a manageable size. I'm guessing that's when it happened, though I didn't notice it until a few weeks later. This is a good reminder that we should check our rigs after extra spicy sails.

Quote from: scgunner on April 11, 2025, 06:31:29 AMAaron,

Is this something that happened suddenly, or over time, or have you just noticed it? Before doing anything else I'd check the furler, on a calm day you should be able to pull it out smoothly by hand. If the action is stiff or clicks or offers a lot of resistance you've probably found the cause.

Noah · April 21, 2025, 09:05:26 AM

IMO, you shouldn't have to use a winch to furl your headsail, no matter how much wind. Sounds like you have some issues with the furler and/or technique.

Jim Hardesty · April 21, 2025, 09:48:52 AM

QuoteIMO, you shouldn't have to use a winch to furl your headsail, no matter how much wind. Sounds like you have some issues with the furler and/or technique.

I second that. I won't say I never use the winch, but it's rare and I know why the extra pull is needed.
Jim

Ron Hill · April 22, 2025, 02:21:12 PM

Aaron : I agree with Jim and Noah - you shouldn't need a winch to roll in a head sail!?!

A thought