Good morning & thanks for your reply, there is no reference to end cap/upper shroud location or the tightness of the end cap on the shroud in the Mac 25 manual but the 1988 Mac 26 manual says that the end cap/shroud location is 11ft from the center of the the tang bolt at the top ,shroud pulled snug,to the center of the end cap, are the 25 & the 26 masts the same & if they are wouldn't the center be at 11' 4 3/4 " since the lower shrouds are 22' 9 1/2" & I don't understand why the shrouds need to ne seized to the end caps & not just snuggedup so that they can move a little,,under pressure?
I think that i have discovered the problem, when it dismasted 2 years ago the starboad spreader tube got crimped so i built a new one out of identical aluminum stock but i think i drilled the holes wrong & the spreader tube needs to be rotated 90 degrees, If i can't rotate the end cap then i'll make a new tube. I am bringing the mast back down today & will post the results as soon as i can,thanks again & i'll be looking forward to your reply !!