Safety wire for spreaders

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Aug 16, 2010
13
Catalina capri 18 Chapel Hill, NC
Can anyone please explain how to attach the safety wire to hold the shrouds inside the tips of the spreader.

Thank you!
 
May 23, 2007
1,306
Catalina Capri 22 Albany, Oregon
Not sure what the proper approach is, but here's what I've done:

Presuming your rig is the same as the Capri 22, you'll want to get some stainless wire from your local chandlery. Or you can use a strand from an old set of shrouds if you have it (that's what I use). You definitely need to use stainless, not something other metal that will cause electrolysis.

There should be a small hole in the tip of your spreader that you can pass a piece of the wire through. I usually take about 6 inches and poke it through so the wire sticks out evenly on both sides of the hole. I then poke the 2 ends through again so I've got a wrap around the tip of the spreader. I then take a single twist, at the end of the spreader, lay the shroud against it, and take 2-3 wraps around it with each end of the wire. Do not make it super snug as it needs to be able to move when you lower the mast. I bring the wires back to the spreader and "tie" it off, then trim the loose ends, making sure they're not sticking out so they'll tear the jib.

Hope this helps.
 
Aug 16, 2010
13
Catalina capri 18 Chapel Hill, NC
Thank you! I understand except how to "tie" off after several wraps and then back to the spreader.
 
May 23, 2007
1,306
Catalina Capri 22 Albany, Oregon
I can't remember exactly how I finished mine as its' been 3 or 4 years; they're due for replacement this spring. I think maybe I ran them back to the spreader and did another 1/2 knot (like the beginning of a bow) and then finished with a tight twist that I then cut at less than 1/2 inch long. Basically something to keep them from unraveling but not so long it will snag on the jib.
 
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