Shrouds Spreader

[SUMB44]

So, I'm trying to replace my shroud spreader brackets, the things that anchor the spreader bars to the mast... but they are attached to the mast with some kind of blizzard screw that doesn't have an apparent means of extraction... help!

 

[FDL S2]

So, I'm trying to replace my shroud spreader brackets, the things that anchor the spreader bars to the mast... but they are attached to the mast with some kind of blizzard screw that doesn't have an apparent means of extraction... help!

Those are stainless steel pop rivets. You need to drill them out with a bit that is slightly larger than the hole in the rivet. Use stainless rivets when you mount your new spreaders and make your you have a GOOD rivet tool to do it, the inexpensive ones for aluminum rivets tend to break with stainless rivets.

 

[SUMB44]

Rivets... not screws...

So much to do. Is there some material advantage to a rivet vs a stainless steel screw?

Will a SS rivet cause galvanic corrosion vs aluminum rivets?

 

[FDL S2]

Stainless can take much higher loads.
The rivets won't be much more expensive and can be bought at Home Depot, Menards or Lowes. A stronger rivet gun will cost you about $30 vs $10 for a cheap one-so it's not s horrible expense.

 

[FDL S2]

No, stainless steel won't cause a galvanic reaction. The rivets in there are stainless along with most likely every other fastener on the boat.
I said in an earlier post that you want a drill bit that is slightly bigger than the hole. This is important because you just want to separate the head of the rivet from the shaft so you can push it through with a punch. You do not want to drill all the way through the rivet shaft because it will misshape the hole and you will have to drill that out and use a larger rivet.

 

[SUMB44]

Thanks for this help, I really appreciate it. I'm just getting frustrated with all the repairs and expense to get it ready to sail. Doesn't help that it's about 110 degrees in the shade today with 70% humidity. Ah, Maryland!

 

[FDL S2]

Is there something specific wrong with the spreaders that you want to replace them?

 

[SUMB44]

not with the spreaders, one of the brackets is barely hanging on to the mast.

 

[FDL S2]

Ok. you're doing it right by replacing both now, just remember, now you will probably never have to do that repair again!

 

[Brian S]

There can be issues with galvanic corrosion between stainless steel and aluminum. For this reason, I coat all SS that touches AL with Ultra Tef-gel. It's basically teflon paste. Think I got mine from Jamestown Distributors. One tube will last you a loooooong time. The rivet gun I use is from Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy...and-riveter-with-collection-bottle-66422.html Also, I source my rivets from McMaster-Carr, www.mcmaster.com Always pull SS rivets slowly. Also, it's best to match throat length to thickness of the materials. For example, if you have a 1/8" thickness, don't go using a 1/2" throat rivet. You can drill those rivets out with a 3/16" drill bit. Also, spreaders are mostly under compression. Rivets can have better holding power than a few threads through thin wall AL...