1975 Cal 2-29 Spreader Information - Help Needed

SailingTheSound

SailingTheSound

.
Apr 2, 2022
2
Cal 2-29 Everett
Howdy,
I recently purchased a 1975 Cal 2-29 that needs a little love. I am taking her in to get new standing rigging but noticed the old wooden spreaders are rotten and broken so they need replacement as well. Since she is 47 years old there is not an over the counter spreader for purchase so my rigger would like specs on the spreaders so he can find some similar or manufacture them. I would like to replace them with metal so we dont run into the same rotting issue. Does anyone have the dimensions for these spreaders? Bonus points if you have any manufacturer and model/dimensions on the mast as well. I couldnt find it anywhere online.

Thanks in advance!

-Erik
 
Dave Groshong

Dave Groshong

SBO Staff
Staff member
Jan 25, 2007
1,867
Catalina 22 Seattle
Maybe something super common would work, Catalina 30 spreaders:

Spreader Retrofit Kit, Aluminum C-30

Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country
www.catalinadirect.com www.catalinadirect.com
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,137
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Hello @SailingTheSound
Welcome to SBO and congrats on selecting a Cal as your first boat is a great choice.

I got to wonder... Were you the model for the WA360 SWAG?
1649711830511.png
If not, do you have a twin?

Spreaders for the Cals were made of spruce. Lack of maintenance means the spreaders rot.

That happened on my boat. I had the rigging and mast "Refit" back in 2016. Best step I took to get my boat ready for sailing and adventuring in the Salish Sea/Puget Sound. I had the spreader sent to Ballenger Spars (Custom aluminum and carbon masts and booms) They took the old spar and remade it in Aluminum. The new spreaders are great.

Any questions don't hesitate to ask.
 
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SailingTheSound

SailingTheSound

.
Apr 2, 2022
2
Cal 2-29 Everett
Hi @jssailem, thanks for the warm welcome. I am not the official model for the WA360 but raced it with 3 other buddies last year and had some really cool swag made for our team :). Thanks for the recommendation, I will reach out to them to see if this is something they can take on. See you around the marina!
 
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jon hansen

jon hansen

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May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
i'm still using the sitka spruce spreaders on the alden. replaced the main mast spreaders once after 44 years. stayed with wood. the mizzen's now have 56 seasons on them. fingers crossed.

it wasn't rot, the 'w' strap broke. split the wood. interesting engineering those 'w' straps.
 
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B

Barnacle Bill

.
Jun 9, 2008
1,801
- -- -Bayfield
Sitka spruce might be harder to find these days. In the old days, that's what many masts were made of. I have used maple to make replacement spreaders. Very tough stuff, but like any wood, it needs to be protected with varnish, etc. and looked after periodically.
 
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jon hansen

jon hansen

.
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
varnish on the bottom, white paint on the top. for spreaders

i have sitka spruce, mahogany, mahogany marine ply in my stash. teak too. all clear as a bell.

i'm a hoarder of wood. butternut, doug fir, white oak, ....

grew up helping dad keep his wood boats proper.

egyptian cotton sails are deep in the loft.

it's not junk has been said many times by me.

jon:cool:
 
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