Spreader loose
- Thread starter Moose1958
- Start date
Describe the looseness, is it moving fore and aft, up and down, general random movement? Some sailboats attach speeders on a pivot so they swing a little fore and aft with the changes in sail trim and for storage on a trailer, other boats have fixed spreaders.
Is this your boat? Do you have double spreaders? Are both starboard spreaders loose? The port spreaders are not loose? At the dock, standing back, is there a bend in the mast from tight port spreaders and loose starboard spreaders?
It sounds like you have a missing bolt, but the other spreader should tell you more.
-Will
Maybe, what does the the starboard shroud look like on a port tack, is it loose, does the turnbuckle fall over? A loose spreader may loosen the shroud. I don't think spreaders are ever held in place by the shrouds, but maybe.
Is this your boat? Do you have double spreaders? Are both starboard spreaders loose? The port spreaders are not loose? At the dock, standing back, is there a bend in the mast from tight port spreaders and loose starboard spreaders?
It sounds like you have a missing bolt, but the other spreader should tell you more.
-Will
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,078
Had to look for an image of the Gulf 29. You have a fractional masthead rig.
Two sets of spreaders according to the sail plan image of the Gulf 29.
Is the mast being held in column? Vertical. No lean or bend.
You need to inspect the boat to discover the cause. We can only guess. @Will Gilmore asks about a missing bolt. It is a possibility. But where? On the spreader? Top of the mast at the shrouds? Or are you having problems where the shrouds connect at the hull?
Start at the bottom end of the shroud and work your way up to the top of the mast. Inspect every part along the way.
Two sets of spreaders according to the sail plan image of the Gulf 29.
Is the mast being held in column? Vertical. No lean or bend.
You need to inspect the boat to discover the cause. We can only guess. @Will Gilmore asks about a missing bolt. It is a possibility. But where? On the spreader? Top of the mast at the shrouds? Or are you having problems where the shrouds connect at the hull?
Start at the bottom end of the shroud and work your way up to the top of the mast. Inspect every part along the way.
I don't know your boat specifically, but I have seen spreaders mounted to move and others not, so looking at the other spreader may not help. If you don't know how to tune your rig, hire a rigger and ask him to teach you, while you watch him.
The point of that, is that it is inadvisable that you go aloft to check out the spreader, if the rig is not tuned.
The rigger can answer your question about your spreader, as well. Sometimes it is really helpful to bite the bullet and hire a professional. What you can learn from them is certainly worth the price, IMO.
The point of that, is that it is inadvisable that you go aloft to check out the spreader, if the rig is not tuned.
The rigger can answer your question about your spreader, as well. Sometimes it is really helpful to bite the bullet and hire a professional. What you can learn from them is certainly worth the price, IMO.
Moose 1958:
Is this a new to you boat? May I ask, what is your level of experience sailing and boat ownership?
To clarify:
When you are saying that on a starboard tack, the wind is coming from your starboard (right) side and the sails which are filled with wind are on the port side of the boat. With this situation, your starboard shrouds will be supporting the force of the wind, therefor keeping the mast in column while, the “port” shrouds should be under less tension and may appear to be moving as there is no tension for the port spreader to contend with on this point of sail. If what I have written describes your situation, something is amiss. Your port shrouds should appear to have less tension and might show movement but the starboard side of the equation should be under tension and not appear to be moving. Your rigging might be out of tune or, there is something wrong with your starboard shrouds.
IMO, it’s time to inspect your rigging visually. You may need a set of good binoculars to inspect the shroud attachments to the mast and, depending on what you can see, it may be time to bring the mast down. You are also asking about loose stays. You should source the owners manual for your boat and secure a recommended set of rigging tensions. Before buying a rigging tension gauge, you need to know what tensions the gauge needs to accommodate. It could well be that your rigging is out of tune or it could also be that something is amiss. I encourage you to caution on the side of safety. You’ve posted a great question and I hope this reply helps point you in the right direction.
George
Thanks to all who have replied to my question ! I have gotten an idea of what to inspect further and what to look for. I did not check the spreader on a port tack. If anyone here knows of a reputable rigging tuner on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain , please send contact information. Thanks again to all who replied ! Ricky
Need more info. The spreader moves how? If the outboard end is moving up and down, the shroud is not tight enough. If there is movement at the root, or base of the spreader where it attaches to the mast, then we need to know how it is attached.