Preassembly
Cutting Headstay to Length • Reusing Existing Headstay
January 2001
Unit 2 MKIII
9
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Reusing Existing Headstay
Your system is designed to allow use of your existing headstay.
Examine your headstay to be sure it is in good condition before
reusing. On wire headstays look for corrosion and cracks at
swage fittings and end terminals. Check for abrasion or wire
damage. On rod headstays check for corrosion or damage to
the coldheaded ends and terminals as well as abrasion, nicks or
kinks to the rod.
Headstay condition will vary depending upon climate and use.
As a rule do not reuse wire which has been in saltwater for more
than four seasons, or wire which is more than 6 years old. Rods
generally have a longer life than wire, but evaluate your rod care-
fully before reusing.
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Cutting Headstay to Length
Before cutting headstay to length, be sure to determine pin-to-pin headstay length and write it on the outside back
cover.
To determine the cut point of a wire or rod, measure up from the lower measurement point of the headstay.
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Swage Fittings
Subtract 22" (559 mm) from your overall pin-to-pin length and
cut
the wire at this point.
When the headstay is shortened 22" (559 mm) the turnbuckle will be one half to two thirds
open, allowing adjustment of the headstay length.
If necessary, you may shorten your headstay up to 24" (610 mm), but shortening a wire
more than 22" (559 mm) will limit headstay adjustment.
Use only swage fittings provided by Harken to insure that the length and threads are correct.
Have the wire swaged by a reputable rigger. Improperly applied swage fittings are prone to
failure and bent or "banana" swages cause difficulty with furling.
Length Check: Check the length by slipping the swage stud on the wire. The distance from
the center of the eye at the top of the wire to the end of the swage stud should be equal to
headstay length less 12
1
/
4
" (311 mm).
Remember the old adage, "measure twice, cut once."
22"
(559 mm)
Headstay Length Less 12
1
/
4
" (311 mm)
Longueur de l´étai moins 311 mm
Vorstaglänge abzüglich 311 mm
Lunghezza dello strallo diminuita di 311 mm
