Lost a spreader, How unsafe is it to sail with only one?

[ablesailor]

I have a Cal 2-27. She has her issues but she's a wonderful boat. The other day we had the starboard side spreader bust through the middle. It was original wood and had eventually rotted through and softened. My question:
How UNSAFE would it be to continue sailing her to a location where I can have this fixed?
I feel like I've got a good understanding of the spreader's purpose, but most of the research leads me to feel like it's more about performance than safety. Of course, I understand in heavy winds it's absolutely a safety issue (as there is only one upper shroud per side). But in medium-to-light winds (sub 15 knots) will I be ok to sail her (gingerly) with only the port side spreader in tact, with the starboard side attached but loose?

 

[ablesailor]

In addition to the one loose shroud going to the top on the starboard side (without the spreader)...I would bring one halyard to that side and attach it to the deck for further precaution.

 

[Ducati]

put up something temporary then sail

 

[ablesailor]

yes...thanks....i had some ideas about that, and will attempt it if the feedback doesn't lead to an astounding "NO DON"T DO IT!" But mainly i was thinking whatever I put up temporary will be something I shouldn't count on. Just going up there and taking the broken one down was a task (with only one person around to help) so I don't "trust" anything temporary I'm able to concoct if the feedback leads me to feel like it's imperative to have it right. thanks again for any feedback!

 

[soldier1964]

I was thinking about the mast being unbalanced with just the one. I didnt know but Im glad that that was answered as to the fact that my boat has spreaders. thank you all for yous answers and thank you ablesailor for that question...fair winds.......

 

[Maine Sail]

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! If this was April 1 I would feel better about this question but it is early December so I have to assume you are asking this with a straight face....

Get some wood and make yourself a new spreader (likely two) before going sailing again. These are STAYED rigs for a reason and the spreader for your rig is not just for "performance" unless you deem "performance" as keeping your rig upright cause with it in the drink you lose a lot of "performance"......

Below is what happens when you lose a spreader under sail.. This one happened to cost about 40k to fix because it was an expensive carbon rig. Lose the rig on your boat and the insurance company will total it..

This was caused by a spreader failing.

 

[Chris Patterson]

I contend, that it will be a semi-frightening proposition to sail the boat in anything but VERY light winds, only in an emergency situation, and trying to keep the wind off your port side. That upper shroud is a major, and critical support structure for the top of the mast. Think bridges, or crane booms.

Loose is absolutely no good whatsoever. It needs to be taken up tight and secured, and also like said, another halyard secured down as well, hopefully to the only chainplate on that side, as that stanchion is marginal at best for the loads that would be induced on the top.

I would come closer to somehow trying to wedge a nice sized board with a vee notch cut into it, against the base of the mast, and angled out to the loose shroud to make it tight than to just sail on with it loose. As it stands now, there is absolutely no support whatsoever on the top starboard side, for the exception of the aluminum mast itself, and with a small amount of loading, it'll bend. Etc.

 

[woodster]

I have a Cal 2-27. She has her issues but she's a wonderful boat. The other day we had the starboard side spreader bust through the middle. It was original wood and had eventually rotted through and softened. My question:
How UNSAFE would it be to continue sailing her to a location where I can have this fixed?
I feel like I've got a good understanding of the spreader's purpose, but most of the research leads me to feel like it's more about performance than safety. Of course, I understand in heavy winds it's absolutely a safety issue (as there is only one upper shroud per side). But in medium-to-light winds (sub 15 knots) will I be OK to sail her (gingerly) with only the port side spreader in tact, with the starboard side attached but loose?

i read that you are in the Tampa area......why not just secure the halyard like was stated and motor to you point of repair...it couldn't be to far...there are lots of places to repair this in the Tampa area ...or you could give Ken a call at SECO South and ask his advice he is most helpful......

regards

woody

 

[catsailor]

Listen to Mainesail. Has no one here seen a mast fail in 10 knot winds? Yes, they do, if something so simple a wire jumping out of a tip happens.

Add a halyard and use the motor. Isn't this obvious to all? Even considering sailing shows great misunderstanding of basic engineering and seamanship. If I had to make a rough crossing I would wait for a calm day, even if it meant weeks or a month, and I might still rig a temporary.

(I've got a snapped mast in the backyard cause by a spreader failure; it was blowing about 10 knots and the waves were sloppy. Not from my boat, but I saw it happen, which is how I got the mast. I've used parts of it for bow sprits. The boat was scrapped, something like a Cal 27)

 

[ablesailor]

ok....looks like I'm going to have to figure out some sort of emergency spreader or makeshift spreader for that side. it's not hard to imagine getting something up there aside from the fact that I lost the base/mount along with the bad spreader (long, bad story). yes it was a serious consideration to sail (gingerly in 10-15mph winds top), the main reason i was considering it was that, after all, she sailed all the way back in that condition (with fingers crossed of course!)

 

[Sailm8]

I had a cal 28 mark III and it had metal spreaders. I'm sure you plan to replace both speeders correct? If one is bad...... JSI did a great job repairing my mast damage after Charley. Check them out.

 

[FourPoints]

The fact your mast didn't break the moment you lost the spreader is lucky enough, continuing to sail like that was a dangerous decision. Trying to sail again like that would be completely reckless.

 

[Maine Sail]

Listen to Mainesail. Has no one here seen a mast fail in 10 knot winds? Yes, they do, if something so simple a wire jumping out of a tip happens.

That exact thing happened in a race two summers ago on a Catalina Capri 22. Took the guy nearly a full year to get a new rig up and running...

 

[ablesailor]

Thank you all very much for the much needed feedback. I will proceed / not proceed accordingly. I will likely look for more advice soon!

 

[HarryP33]

I lost a leeward spreader while sailing solo a couple of years ago, realizing it as I was running out of water and readying for a tack. I held course by lashing the tiller and running forward, dropping the mainsail and just avoiding making landfall. In the few seconds I had to make the decision, I later realized I made the right one... had I tacked, I'm sure I would have lost the mast, and the value of the boat (and hence the boat), in lieu of running aground and maybe losing the boat. That's how important a spreader is on a boat. I would never sail with a spreader gone, even in light winds. Super dangerous. Tie off a halyard and motor it in, that's my advice.

 

[Ross]

Everything about a mast depends upon balanced loads. One spreader will inflict a massive load to one side of the mast and the mast will cripple to the side with the intact spreader.

 

[Lake Superior Sailor]

I have a cal 28 flat top with wood spreaders,I replaced last spring . Mine are 1 inch wood with two pins holding them in place, 5 min. to remove, 16ft. 10in. from deck to top of spreaders. a ladder will ge you there. I built my own out of cherry as I had it around, not at all dificult! ...Dale

 

[ablesailor]

I have a cal 28 flat top with wood spreaders,I replaced last spring . Mine are 1 inch wood with two pins holding them in place, 5 min. to remove, 16ft. 10in. from deck to top of spreaders. a ladder will ge you there. I built my own out of cherry as I had it around, not at all dificult! ...Dale

Hey Thanks Dale! That is encouraging. I was not too very intimidated by the task but one problem is I lost the mount which attached (and supported) the spreader to the mast. Obviously I have the other one and since I'm replacing one will replace both, and I could come up with something to serve the same purpose (or maybe even better). But just curious if you used the existing (I assume you did, but who knows) "brackets" or 'mounts" or if you had your own ideas..?...thanks so much.

 

[Ralph18422]

Just to make sure . . .

I am glad everyone has pointed out how unsafe it is to sail without the spreader, but it needs to be said, don't go up the mast to repair it either. Un step the mast to make your repairs.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

yep, I've had a mast fall (hobie 16). DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

you have to drop the mast. if you bend the mast, most likely you'll need a new one. shipping alone will kill you.

this time of year, its a big NO, in the summer, when winds are 0-8 knts maybe... but I wouldn't.