Spreader angle

[John Keith]

When my boat was launched the yard just put the mast up and left me to
do the fine tuning. At the moment the spreader are about 15 degrees
above horizontal. My spreaders look like the originals, they are made
of timber painted black and they hinge down beside the mast when being
stored. I can't see any way of securing them to the shrouds at a set
angle as the shroud just runs through between the wooden spreader and
a small metal fitting. Any advice about the correct angle and a good
method for securing the shrouds to the spreaders would be greatly
appreciated,

ta,

John

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi John

Never seen spreaders made from wood on a vega so I doubt if it is original. Usually very slight angle upwards (couple of degrees). The angle is determined by teh aluminium hound at teh end of the spreader that goes against the mast. The tension of the cap shrouds should hold the spreader at the correct angle.

Hope this helps. If you need some photos then I am sure I can dig a few out.

Cheers

Steve B

 

[groundhogyh]

I think the rule of thumb is 6 degrees..?
You want the angles of the spreader and the shroud wire on top bottom of spreader to be equal.

I had the problem of sagging spreaders. I had one of those rollers that keep the shroud from poking the foresail. This held the spreaders from going too high. I added what is called a shaft collar (pretty sure that was the name of it). A doughnut shaped clamp that you can screw onto the shroud wire.

Anyway, if interested in this solution, search the archives as I posted a part number and some descriptive info on the part.

rb

 

[trevy_kins]

Hi gang, I don't think spreaders should be firmly affixed to shroud.
Should allow movement or risk damage to rig. Trev #2915



________________________________

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of groundhog
Sent: November 7, 2007 5:24 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Spreader angle


I think the rule of thumb is 6 degrees..?
You want the angles of the spreader and the shroud wire on top bottom of
spreader to be equal.

I had the problem of sagging spreaders. I had one of those rollers that
keep the shroud from poking the foresail. This held the spreaders from
going too high. I added what is called a shaft collar (pretty sure that
was the name of it). A doughnut shaped clamp that you can screw onto the
shroud wire.

Anyway, if interested in this solution, search the archives as I posted
a part number and some descriptive info on the part.

rb

 

[groundhogyh]

Then what makes them stay put?
roy

 

[vega1860]

Interesting discussion. My mast is currently on sawhorses alongside
the boat with the spreaders removed. My spreaders are aluminum tubes
with cast aluminum bases and tips. The bases acccept a bolt from the
mounting tabs welded to the mast which allows the spreader to pivot
upward. The cast spreader base fixes the angle, slightly upward, and
prevents the spreader from sagging downward. I don't remember now
where I got the idea but I read, or was told, to seize the spreader
tip to the shroud with monel wire. There is also a small stainless
steel strap that screws to the aluminum spreader tip around the shroud
but not tightly enough to prevent the spreader from moving upward
slightly.

I have completely refurbished my mast and fabricated new shrouds and
stays while consulting with riggers at Port Townsend Rigging and Brion
Toss and will be re-stepping the mast soon. I'll publish the details
as soon as the job is complete.

Aloha,

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu (Still on stands in Port Townsend Boat Haven)

 

[stevebirch2002]

The spreaders are kept where they should be by the same forces that keep the mast upright, namely the cap shrouds. With the shrouds tight it pulls the spreaders down until the spreader mast end (hound) stops it.

Cheers

Steve B

 

[albinvega1493]

I would agree that on a new vega, the angle that the spreaders will
take is determined by the hound resting against the fitting on the
mast. However, in a vega that has seen years of service, that fitting
will not hold the same angle as when it was new. It is aluminium
resting against aluminium at pressure and with gravity. The hound on
the base of one of my spreaders was broken, and so I repaired it with a
TIG welder in the shop where I teach welding/metals. Then in setting
up the rig, I had to determine the correct angle. In all my reading
and talking with various riggers in the Bay area, the only formula I
have found is to bisect the angle equally between the top and the
botom. ie: the angle of top section of shround to spreader angle
should be the same angle as that of the bottom section of the shroud to
spreader. I used small cable clamps under the spreaders to hold them
in place, and then put a leather boot over the whole thing to keep it
from damaging the sails. Just my DIY fix. Cost $5 for 2 stainless
cable clamps, $10 for a large piece of heavy leather, and $5 for a
needle and waxed thread to stitch the boot over the spreader ends.

Larry Bissell
Kemanalea
SF Bay area
Vega 1493