I need help replacing the spreaders on my Columbia 36. The boat is 55 years old and the spreaders are wooden. Any help I can get would be very much appreciated as I am a novice!
Columbia 36 parts
- Thread starter JLBrackett
- Start date
Do you have the original spreaders and are they in good enough shape to use as a pattern?
dh
dh
You can use the existing spreader as a template. You'll have to make the mirror image of it for the other side. It's likely a yellow pine. But there are ways to know exactly what wood it was originally made from if you'd like to use the same wood. But there are several woods that would work.
So what kind of help are you looking for?
dj
This seems to be too hard to be pine. I have access to Cypress, White oak, and Teak but I don't have the tools to make the spreader or the expertise.
Yellow pine gets pretty hard when it ages. But it could be something else. Of the three you mention, I've never worked with Cypress and would have to look up it's properties to know if it's a good choice. White oak would certainly work. Teak would not be my choice there.
I'm about to leave on a sailing trip for two months and then I'm off to Europe or I'd offer to make the spreaders for you. But I wouldn't have the time until sometime possibly in November. Way past sailing season.
Where are you located?
dj
Right, you have the wood and the template.
But, I don't have the tools to make the spreader or the expertise.
What you need is a Men's Shed!
I had a search and am really surprised to see how few there are in the US.
www.aarp.org
In Australia, where I come from they are everywhere. 1,200 sheds for a population of 25 million.
Gary
But, I don't have the tools to make the spreader or the expertise.
What you need is a Men's Shed!
I had a search and am really surprised to see how few there are in the US.
Men in the U.S. Are Gathering in Aussie-Style 'Sheds'
By doing so, the retirees get out of the house, work together to tackle community projects, and make connections that lead to healthier, happier lives
In Australia, where I come from they are everywhere. 1,200 sheds for a population of 25 million.
Gary
@garymalmgren that's amazing! Here i volunteer at what's called "The Repair Cafe". People bring in all sorts of things to get fixed so they don't just get thrown out. I believe the idea started in Amsterdam and has spread out to lots of parts of the world. There is one here where I live that I volunteer at. Great stuff!
dj
www.repaircafe.org
dj
About Repair Café - Repairing for a Sustainable Future
Learn about Repair Café, our mission, and how we contribute to a more sustainable future by promoting repair and reducing waste.
www.repaircafe.org
I'm located in Virginia on the Hampton roads harbor. The boat has been around the world and had many home ports, but when I did my research on her I found out it was built in Portsmouth Virginia. That's about 6 MI across the harbor from me.
What are your sailing plans?
I noodled around a bit about Cypress - seems like it could be a good wood to use. The only thing some folks said in a wood boat forum is that Cypress tends to absorb water. But otherwise it has the kind of properties that could work. Light weight, stable, rot resistant and strong. If your spreaders are painted it could make a good choice. It would be a good idea to see if you can find out what the original wood is. If you are looking for varnished that white oak might be preferred.
Down that way they used Southern Yellow Pine a lot in boat building.
Besides fixing the spreaders, what else have you got on your to-do list with that boat?
dj
Except for the spreaders, I would be sailing her today. My to do list is ongoing so, based on the weather and how much time I have, I either sail her or work on her. All my sailing is day sailing which I guess is a real waste for a 36 ft boat.
I'd say find a local wood worker and get those spreaders done up!
Nothing is a waste if you are on a boat....
dj