SPREADERS AND SHROUDS

[GARY ELSTON]

BRION,BOAT IS '86 STARWIND 223. REPLACED THE PORT UPPER SHROUD AFTER INSPECTIING (THANKS FOR YOUR VIDEO) PROBLEM IS I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SHROUDS SHOULD MOVE EASILY THROUGH THE ENDS OF THE SPREADERS BUT THE SLOT IN THE SPREADER OUTER END IS WAY TOO SMALL FOR THE SHROUD (1/8"). THE SHROUDS ARE KEPT IN PLACE BY A SMALL PLATE ATTACHED TO THE ENDS WITH TWO SCREWS. PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THEM TIGHTENED DOWN SO SHROUDS COULD NOT MOVE, IF I LEAVE THEM LOOSE ENOUGH TO ALLOW MOVEMENT I RISK THEMWORKING OUT. WHAT DO YOU ADVISE?THANKS, GARY

 

[Brion Toss]

Stop shouting

Hello,Whoever told you the shrouds should be free to move in the spreaders was drastically mistaken. The device you are speaking of is a clamp intended to keep the spreader tip from slipping up or down on the wire. The ideal, if the spreader brackets allow it, is to angle the spreader so the angle formed by the wire is the same above and below the spreader. That way the spreader is in pure compression.If the spreader tip is gently radiused, and doesn't kink the wire, and if things aren't corroding, then what you have is great. Fair leads,Brion Toss

 

[GARY]

THANKS BRION

THANKS BRION,THIS JUST MAKES SENSE, I HAD JUST HAD TOO MUCH INPUT IN THE OTHER DIRECTIONGARY