Spreader Adjustment + Seizing Help on Baba 30

[SV Blue Moon]

The seizing on my spreaders to the shrouds is shot and needs to be redone. The spreaders have "slipped" down. I need to angle them up and redo the seizing. Any advice on wire gauge to use? I have a Baba 30 with one set of spreaders. Also, in regards to moving the spreaders. Should I loosen the shrouds, whack them with a mallet, use soapy water, etc? I will be going up the mast and doing t

Thank you,
SV Blue Moon

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the SBO forum. The Baba 30 is a great Bob Perry design. It was last built in 1986. Not sure what year your boat reached the water.

Spreaders, if original could be spruce. My 1974 Cal had spruce spreaders. On my boat the spreaders had failed due to maintenance neglect and age. They required replacement.

Your issue is that spreaders have tips that secure the shoud in place. You will need to identify the material of the spreader and the condition of the tip.

You say the shroud is out of place. This implies that the tip has failed. I would be concerned about climbing the mast and swinging out to the end using just the shrouds as supports for the mast. The shouds are compromised if the spreaders are out of place.

Best practice would be to drop the mast. Repair the spreaders, perhaps replace them with aluminum if wood. Inspect the shrouds. With a boat of this age, the rigging may be ready for replacement.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I use .041" locking wire, but you don't have to be too fussy. Anything like that, stainless steel will work. If your spreaders slip down your upper shroud tension might need some tightening up so they stay in place.

 

[higgs]

Like jssailem I would be leery about going up the mast with the upper shroud not properly supporting it while you swing out to do the repair, especially if the other side is compromised.