Sta-Lok?

[parttimesailor]

Hi - I need to replace my forestay as I want to add on a headsail furler. Boat is only a 26-footer and I was thinking to do this myself. Any recommendations/experience (good or bad) with Sta-Lok terminals?

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by parttimesailor

Hi - I need to replace my forestay as I want to add on a headsail furler. Boat is only a 26-footer and I was thinking to do this myself. Any recommendations/experience (good or bad) with Sta-Lok terminals?

Excellent product as are the Hayn Hi-Mods...

[msmith10]

I have personally used the Hayn Hi Mods. The feature I liked about them was the little serrated washer that aligns the strands of the cable. I don't know if it's really a big plus, but it is comforting. Easy to use. No experience with the others.

[sailingdog]

I'd third the recommendation for the Hayn HiMods....particularly since they're usually significantly less expensive than StaLok or Norsemans.

[brak]

I used both Stalock and Norseman. Both were easy enough to use and results looked good (and held under given conditions, though that's not really a conclusive test of strength).

Whichever one you use - make sure to follow instructions carefully wrt how much wire to put where and how much to tighten. Both Stalock and Norseman caution not to overtighten as strength of connection does not come from that but rather from the inner structure shape. Overtightening can actually weaken it. AFAIK

[Wayne25]

I think Quick Attach by Suncor was rated for the best holding and very simple to use. No unlaying of wires. Here is a link:
Quick Attach Swageless Fittings Rigging Stay Lock Sta-Loc
I have never used them so no personal experience.

[parttimesailor]

...I wasn't aware of the Hayn product - will give your recommendations a look.

[scottyt]

a lot of people will recommend doing a high pressure fitting up top, then you can bring it to the boat and cut to fit. the reason for this is you can not easily check the fitting at the top to see if it is loosing. you can get a cable with the press done up top easily and cheaply by mail order.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by scottyt

a lot of people will recommend doing a high pressure fitting up top, then you can bring it to the boat and cut to fit. the reason for this is you can not easily check the fitting at the top to see if it is loosing. you can get a cable with the press done up top easily and cheaply by mail order.

I believe what ScottyT is trying to say is that to save money, a lot of people, including myself, will recommend you get a swaged terminal at the top of the rigging, since swages tend to fail at the deck more than mechanical fittings do, and use a mechanical fitting on the bottom, so you can cut the rigging to length and terminate it without specialized tools.

The problem with swaged fittings at the deck level is that a swage is effectively an inverted cup, and it becomes a failure point...mechanical fittings can be inspected, disassembled, etc.

[ccriders]

Check the specifications of the roller furler as it may require a specific fitting at the deck and maybe also at the top.
John