I had my mast taken down this winter and was informed that my Spreader Tips needed to be replaced.
Fortunately, the Cherubini Forum Archives had a post that identified where to
locate and purchase said tips. (thank you ybrad, circa 2011)
I’m happy to report, they are still available through Rig-Rite (Rigrite.com). the model number is: K-10371. The cost for two including shipping was $255.
So no problem, pop the tips off the spreader and replace with the new tips.
Turns out not so simple for S/V Shadow’s 36 year old spreader tips.
The photos posted here, chronicles the spreader project.
I started by cutting the rivet tops off with a 4” grinder and cutting wheel (my spreaders had bird spikes riveted on top).
I chiseled off the tips of the two spreaders with a hammer and chisel only to find that the ends of the spreaders were corroded by calcium deposits to the point that the aluminum was eroded and eaten away spots.
So the project’s goal was to prime and paint the spreaders, as well as my main and staysail booms.
Using 80 grit sandpaper and my handheld mouse sander, I went to work removing as much calcium as possible and then with a small flat head screwdriver I dug into any deposits caught in the tiny recesses of the eroded ends removing the rest of the residue.
Next, I layered two part epoxy on the inside of the spreader end and on the male insert parts of the spreader tips, then bar clamped them together.
Next day, I removed the clamps and sanded the joint smooth.
The eroded parts of the spreader ends still needed more filling, so to make a long story a iittle shorter over the course of two days, I added two additional layers of epoxy.
That third layer was probably overkill, as it was impossible to sand with the 80 grit paper. Using my grinder and a 220 grit flap disk I gently ground the remaining epoxy smooth and finished the sanding with the 80 grit sandpaper.
The original spreader tips where held in place with one simple rivet, so I drilled out those epoxy filled holes and popped in an aluminum rivet.
So that’s it. I won’t bore you with the painting project. If you have any questions or comments please post.
And if anyone knows where to get Spreader Tip BOOTS, let me know.
Fortunately, the Cherubini Forum Archives had a post that identified where to
locate and purchase said tips. (thank you ybrad, circa 2011)
I’m happy to report, they are still available through Rig-Rite (Rigrite.com). the model number is: K-10371. The cost for two including shipping was $255.
So no problem, pop the tips off the spreader and replace with the new tips.
Turns out not so simple for S/V Shadow’s 36 year old spreader tips.
The photos posted here, chronicles the spreader project.
I started by cutting the rivet tops off with a 4” grinder and cutting wheel (my spreaders had bird spikes riveted on top).
I chiseled off the tips of the two spreaders with a hammer and chisel only to find that the ends of the spreaders were corroded by calcium deposits to the point that the aluminum was eroded and eaten away spots.
So the project’s goal was to prime and paint the spreaders, as well as my main and staysail booms.
Using 80 grit sandpaper and my handheld mouse sander, I went to work removing as much calcium as possible and then with a small flat head screwdriver I dug into any deposits caught in the tiny recesses of the eroded ends removing the rest of the residue.
Next, I layered two part epoxy on the inside of the spreader end and on the male insert parts of the spreader tips, then bar clamped them together.
Next day, I removed the clamps and sanded the joint smooth.
The eroded parts of the spreader ends still needed more filling, so to make a long story a iittle shorter over the course of two days, I added two additional layers of epoxy.
That third layer was probably overkill, as it was impossible to sand with the 80 grit paper. Using my grinder and a 220 grit flap disk I gently ground the remaining epoxy smooth and finished the sanding with the 80 grit sandpaper.
The original spreader tips where held in place with one simple rivet, so I drilled out those epoxy filled holes and popped in an aluminum rivet.
So that’s it. I won’t bore you with the painting project. If you have any questions or comments please post.
And if anyone knows where to get Spreader Tip BOOTS, let me know.
