Help with Solent Stay Design

[JimPendoley]

Hi all,
Need help with a pet project. I want to install a Solent stay on my Pearson Vanguard-I have a profurl furler and fly a 140 on that- but I need a storm jib option and a Solent rig looks great. I found an ABI lever on EBAY
(ABI out of Business)

ABI 3/16" BRONZE FORESTAY RELEASE LEVER WITH STUD | eBay

but it is listed as being for 3/16" wire. My rigging is all 1/4". Not having seen the ABI levers, can anyone tell me if it is possible (and advisable) to buy a stayloc terminal with stud that has a 7/16" threaded stud designed to attach 1/4"wire and attach it to the ABI lever listed above?
The specs for the lever appear below and seem to suggest a threaded terminal body that could accept a 7/16" stud. If that was the case why is it speced for 3/16" wire?

ABI Lever Specs
Wire Size: 3/16"
Width Overall: 2-1/2"
Lever Range of Motion: 4-1/4"
Turnbuckle Adjustable Length: 2-1/4"
Thread Size: 7/16"
Clevis Pin Diameter: 3/8"
Weight: 5 lbs.
Part Number: 191042

I've considered the Gale Sail and the storm bag and prefer to go with the Solent Rig. All insights welcome!

[bwindrope]

Hi Jim,
I installed a solent stay on my Gulf 32 a few years back after doing a whole lot of research and thinking. I got help from Brion Toss on the design and materials. Too much to tell here, but you can read about my experience at my blog: Stories of Aeolus- Our Gulf 32 Pilothouse: Solent Stay Installation

It was a big, and hard, and ultimately very worthwhile project. Good luck on yours and feel free to follow up with specific questions if you have any after reading my blog.

[JimPendoley]

Hi Aeolus,
read your blog, it was great. I hope my project does not involve so much learning though-broken drill bits and snapped taps are no fun. I noticed you used a Johnson levered turnbuckle-is it easily removable or does it stay attached to the stemhead most of the time?

[bwindrope]

The Johnson turnbuckle was a great suggestion by Brion Toss and it removes entirely to be stowed in the cabin when not in use. It has/ I use, removable pins to hold it to the stay and padeye.

And yes, my troubles with drill bits and taps was pathetic and amateurish. I certainly learned, and did my best to save others my trouble in my detailed descriptions on my blog.

The biggest design consideration was making sure the bow fitting was up to the loads it must bear. The mast fitting had to be custom as well.

[JimPendoley]

I only seem to learn the hard way-its the best way to retain the learning experience! I appreciate your insights, will take a look at the Johnson turnbuckle