Replacement of t-connector for mast shroud

[Alan ONeill]

While checking the rigging on my boat the other day, I noticed the t-connector on one of the shrouds is bent a little. When I had checked them while stepping the mast I taped the shrouds to the lifeline, and they looked good, but one was just a little off from vertical and is bent. Do I need to step the mast down to replace it, or can I leave the mast up and disconnect the turnbuckle from the deck t-connector without worrying that the mast is going to topple? Or should I beef up the support by using the mast-raising pole as if I were going to step the mast down? And lastly, should I completely hold of on sailing until after I replace the t-bolt? It's bent, but not a large amount as it was pretty close to vertical when it got bent.

 

[gmh]

T-Bolt

I replaced the T-bolt on the lower shrouds of my H26 the other day without lowering the mast. I attached my mast support wires (used for stepping the mast) and tightened them up for extra support, then replaced T-bolts one at a time.I'm not sure I would attempt to change the uppers without lowering the mast a bit. You don't have to come down all of the way, just enough to loosen the shrouds.

 

[Rick Webb]

I Sailed for Two Years with a Bent One

I had the new one just did not get around to switching it out. I beleive you could just remove any one of the shrouds or even any two on opposite side to replace the T-Bolts and certainly would be no problem if you attached the mast raising bridle. Check the archives for where to purchase them. I bought a half dozen as the shipping was more than the cost of two T-Bolts.