I just got a 1980 Hunter 27 - and while putting her up for the winter, I found that the last owner created his own spreaders by hammering aluminum tubes and using seizing wire to hold the shrouds in place. I am pretty sure the original rig was made by Kenyon, but I have no idea what the original size was. I have been to RigRite web site but without pictures I am not sure what I would order.
Need spreaders for the mast
- Thread starter BoatNutterGil
- Start date
Can't help you with who made them, but for length, the lower run of your cap shrouds (deck to spreader) should be perfectly vertical. What this means in you spreader length is the same horizontal distance the base of the mast is from your chain plates.
I just went around through the process of ordering spreaders for my boat. Mine were the original spruce that had rotted and I wanted aluminum. Long story short, for new spreaders and cast end caps I discovered the manufacturer was the best price. Talked to 3 shops an Catalina Yachts was beat the best ones price by 30%. Give Hunter a call.
I sent an email to Hunter-Marlow and got an almost instant response --
"We have nothing in the archives that would be of help. The older boats had very little documentation even when new."
So that option is out. The hand made spreader are 40" in length, but appear to be a little long since he added a shackle to the base to reach the chain plate.
"We have nothing in the archives that would be of help. The older boats had very little documentation even when new."
So that option is out. The hand made spreader are 40" in length, but appear to be a little long since he added a shackle to the base to reach the chain plate.
Gil:
I observe that you just joined SailboatOwners.com / HunterOwners.com this November.
Might I suggest that you also put your original post on the Cherubini Hunter sub forum. (A 1980 Hunter sailboat is a Cherubini Hunter.) Active DIY type Cherubini 27 owners I know frequent this forum -- but maybe they don't look at the mid-size boat forum and will have missed your query.
Also searching the archives with specifying to look in the Cherubini Hunter forum will yield lots of info about your boat.
In case you don't have them, I've attached a pdf of the drawings from your boat. Also somewhere in the forum you should be able to find the original is the owners' operation manual.
I observe that you just joined SailboatOwners.com / HunterOwners.com this November.
Might I suggest that you also put your original post on the Cherubini Hunter sub forum. (A 1980 Hunter sailboat is a Cherubini Hunter.) Active DIY type Cherubini 27 owners I know frequent this forum -- but maybe they don't look at the mid-size boat forum and will have missed your query.
Also searching the archives with specifying to look in the Cherubini Hunter forum will yield lots of info about your boat.
In case you don't have them, I've attached a pdf of the drawings from your boat. Also somewhere in the forum you should be able to find the original is the owners' operation manual.
Thank you for the suggestion, I posted this on the Cherubini forum and thank you for the manual.
As you say I am new to this, I spent time searching before I joined, but as a newbie I probably have a lot to learn.
Thanks again.
Gil
As you say I am new to this, I spent time searching before I joined, but as a newbie I probably have a lot to learn.
Thanks again.
Gil
Consult Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co. (DAMCO) in Connecticut. They have an excellent online catalogue, from which I have bought most of my rigging stuff. They do not have 'direct replacement' for Kenyon parts; though they do carry equivalents. Best of all they are cheerful, helpful people with really good prices, so they beat Rig Rite hands-down in that regard.
I sent Dwyers an email right after getting your post. The spreader mounting bracket I have on the mast are not compatible with there spars; they said I need SP3's; but I think I will request a quote including the new mounting brackets. I have tried doing business with Rig Rite before and to say I was not impressed is an understatement.
Dwyer-- go for it.
BoatNutter--
I investigated replacing my round tubular spreaders with neat airfoil ones and found they would not fit over the tubular spreader bracket on the mast. Then I had to take the spreader brackets off to repaint and recondition the spar. Amazingly, there was no evident corrosion. The brackets were installed with aluminum rivets, not stainless-- which I advise anyone to do. Never mind the 'fear' that aluminum rivets are not as strong as stainless. So long as the rivet fills up the mounting hole, where can it go?
Dwyer's have a nifty spreader bracket that would enable me to switch over. I still have not made up my mind about this and will decide when I have the spar painted in the spring. I really don't need them-- just thought it would look cool. In any case I'm glad you're considering them, as they're terrific.
* * *
BoatNutter--
I investigated replacing my round tubular spreaders with neat airfoil ones and found they would not fit over the tubular spreader bracket on the mast. Then I had to take the spreader brackets off to repaint and recondition the spar. Amazingly, there was no evident corrosion. The brackets were installed with aluminum rivets, not stainless-- which I advise anyone to do. Never mind the 'fear' that aluminum rivets are not as strong as stainless. So long as the rivet fills up the mounting hole, where can it go?
Dwyer's have a nifty spreader bracket that would enable me to switch over. I still have not made up my mind about this and will decide when I have the spar painted in the spring. I really don't need them-- just thought it would look cool. In any case I'm glad you're considering them, as they're terrific.
* * *
I have heard lots of complaints about Rig Rite and that is too bad, but I regularly order parts from them without problems. They have a pretty decent web site to find what you are looking for and if you order or communicate via fax, you get better results as that is how they prefer to communicate rather than a phone call or an email.