Practical Boat Owner – September 2019

Suitable

toggle

required

Q

A recent survey of my
Gib’sea 242 highlighted
the fact that there is no
toggle fitted at the lower end
of the forestay. I am having
difficulty sourcing a suitable
part to introduce one – the
only toggle I can find has
jaws that are too short to
reach the hole of the
stemhead fitting. Fitting one
would also rotate the pin
through 90°. Can you help?
Ron Salinger, by email

MIKE COATES RESPONDS
You’re right to point out that
introducing a toggle would
rotate the upper pin through
90°. However, the whole idea of
having a toggle is to allow
movement of the stay both
fore/aft and also athwartships.
You will need to check to see if
there is any way the reefing-

backstay to be able to re-apply

tension to the forestay.

If you find you are unable to

rotate the reefing-line guide

arm it may be the case that

you have to add a second

toggle. Be careful in this

instance as you will most likely

have to shorten the forestay

accordingly to prevent

excessive mast rake and allow

tension adjustment. The

introduction of the additional

height of two toggles will raise

the tack height which in turn

will move the sheeting position

further aft.

pin with shorter jaws to be

fitted; ensure there is clearance

between the top of the stem

fitting and the inside of the

toggle so they do not bind.

If removing material with an

electric grinder ensure the GRP

gelcoat in the immediate area

is well screened to prevent hot

material embedding itself

because this will cause rust

staining at a later date.

As there is no form of

forestay adjustment, before

introducing a toggle you’ll have

to ensure there is sufficient

adjustment available in the

line guide can be rotated 90° to

return it to a fore/aft alignment.

There appears to be sufficient

material above the hole in the

stem fitting to grind away the

plate above the hole to allow a

No toggle – forestay

and reefing drum are

attached directly to

the stem fitting

Standard toggles have jaws too short

for Rod Salinger’s Gib’sea 242

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