UNIT 1 - Harken

Preassembly
Cutting Headstay to Length • Reusing Existing Headstay
■ 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 carefully
before reusing.
■ 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.
■ Swage Studs
Subtract 18 1 /4" (464 mm) from your pin-to-pin length and cut the wire at this point.
Remember the old adage, "measure twice, cut once."
When the headstay is shortened 18 1 /4" (464 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 20" (508 mm), but shortening a wire
more than 18 1 /4" (464 mm) will limit headstay adjustment.
Use only swage studs provided by Harken to insure that the length and threads are correct.
Have the wire swaged by a reputable rigger. Improperly applied swage studs are prone to
failure and bent or “banana” swages cause difficulty with furling.
18 1 /4"
(464 mm)
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
the pin-to-pin headstay length less 9" (229 mm).
Pin-to-pin headstay length less 9" (229 mm)
Longueur d'axe à axe de l´étai moins 229 mm
Vorstaglänge Bolzen-Bolzen-Mass abzüglich 229 mm
Lunghezza perno-a-perno dello strallo diminuita di 229 mm
March 2003 Unit 1 MKIII 9