Anybody changed from original wooden spreaders to aluminium replacements? It's been suggested to me it could be done without dropping the mast. I'm skeptical but open to suggestions. Thanks, Keith
Changing out spreaders
- Thread starter stayare
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i havent done it but i suggest if you are like me and over 35 years old (almost 65 now) get a bright young man to help you with that project....i see that it can be done in the air ......take a haliard and secure the side of the mast that you are changeing out then loosen the topstay cable in order to free up the spreader on the side that is secured by the haliard then let the young man go up the mast and remove the old one and replace the new one making everything secure befor he comes down...then repeat this to the other one......but plzzzzzzz be careful and also ck to see if your insurance will cover any unforseen (heven forbid) negative events ......haveing said all this and not knowing your abilities it may be wise to unstep the mast and do it on the ground or call a rigger and get his or her input after all thats what they do best is rigg......
hope this helps.....
regards
woody
Just did this on my Cat 30. I didn't buy the over priced aluminum. I just replaced the original wooden spreaders with sitka spruce. Should outlive me. Whole process was very easy. You don't need a rigger and you don't need to drop the mast. My wife hoisted me up ( with my climbing help) and I am 66......... heh heh.
Man I would be a lil' worried about all the extra loading my body weight was adding to the mast, with the spreader removed. Wouldn't there be a good chance of the mast kinking, or worse, failing while trying to replace the spreader? After all, that is why it is supposed to be replaced, to reduce the risk of rig failure if the spreader snaps while under heavy strain? ps. To Woodster: I rencently had an S 2 8.6 meter, much like yours - sold it to buy the C 30 - our S 2 was fast & could do over 8.0 knots but the cabin was a lil too tight for a family of 4. But the S 2 is also a great sailboat. Pic attached:
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