Lower shrouds and spreader brackets

[RHigh]

I am hoping someone can give me some advice. I recently purchased a Catalina 22 #874.
I want to replace the standing rigging. The spreader brackets look new, but are not the 2 piece type as from CD. The lower shrouds have been swaged directly to the bracket.
My first thought was to just add a shackle to the bracket, shortening the shrouds by 1". Upon measuring the shrouds I found the aft shroud to be 1" shorter than the forward. According to the manual the aft should be 2 1/4" longer.
Should I use the stock length shortened by the length of the shackle ?
Is there a good way to determine the correct length of the shrouds ?
I thought about a direct measurement with the mast plumb but what do I use as a reference to get the boat level ?

I have a few more questions I will ask at another time.
Thank you.

 

[caguy]

Why not do them the same length as they are now? If you want to rake more some of it will depend on how much more travel you have on your turn buckle.

To level the boat I used a surveyors transom another time I used a laser level on the boot line. You can tie a weight to the halyard to measure the rake once leveled.

For a easier and faster setup time you might want to consider adding a Johnson lever to the forward shrouds as well as the fore stay. Once adjusted, you just flip the lever to release or re-tension the shrouds.

 

[RHigh]

Thank you for the quick reply.
I have never sailed the boat and am concerned about a couple of things.
The way the shrouds are swagged to the spreader bracket. Doesn't seem right.
The fact that the aft shroud is shorter than the forward shroud. As it is a 1971 that very well be the correct configuration.
I have no confidence in the PO's set up.

 

[caguy]

Mine are swagged directly on to the bracket on my C27 and the same on the Mac 25. Have you erected the mast on your driveway?

 

[RHigh]

Yes, but only for a couple of minutes, I will step the mast and check a couple of things Ken from Catalina Yachts sent me.

 

[RHigh]

Thanks to Kent at Catalina Yachts for providing me with some rigging dimensions. The lower shrouds are indeed reversed. I will replace with 1/8" cable.
The existing thimbles are quite deformed because of the direct attachment. The bracket is fairly thin and puts a sharp bend at the thimble.
Would shackles work? Pin washer and cotter key ?

 

[Chris Patterson]

The thimbledirectly on the bracket is not right, and I can think of several reasons you would not want it that way, namely the very problem you are dealing with. At least with a shackle, you can remove it, or change it.
The good news is, is you have the stainless spreader brackets, as opposed to the cast ones.
But somebody went to a heck of a lot of trouble swagging those shrouds on wrong, go figure..