Spreaders

[jorgefife]

Today was D day for me: my friends with boats all came together to raise my mast, but it was a failure!
Been waiting 4 months,; the plan was to put a Hunter 33 on on side, a Hunter 30 on the other side, and mine in the middle, using the halyards to raise the mast.
However, the spreaders I got and had modified were totally inadequate for my boat, so the mast had to be carried back, and the dream had to be shelved (didn't even go to Airport to pick up mother-in-law, who I have not seen in 10 years.
So my grovelling/begging/pleading goes as follows:
does anyone know where I can get a set of spreaders, around 42" long x 2-1/4" wide?
The salvage yard I know has everything you can think of (even a complete 36Hunter arrived today), but no spreaders.
Without breaking the bank, any brain storm out there?
Jorge

 

[Steve Dion]

I would start with Rig-Rite in Rhode Island. If that does not work out there is a place in Ca. that can help (Ballenger Spar).

 

[Manny]

Jorge, out of curiosity, what happened with the spreaders when you tried to raise the mast?
I'll second what Steve said, contact Rig-Rite.

Manny

 

[Ed Schenck]

Yes, what was the problem exactly? Do you have the right mounting brackets in the right place? And you had shrouds properly attached at the mast head and secured to the ends of the spreaders? The spreaders should have a slight upward angle out from the mast if you are using the right brackets.

Rig-rite link, they are expensive:
http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/SparParts/Spreaders.html#Airfoil Spreader Sections .

 

[jorgefife]

When I bought the boat, it had no spreaders; at the time, around May last year,I got 2 spreaders 42" (I tried to estimate what my neighbor's boat size was, he has a H33, 1980)
So I bought 2 on e-bay; they were not for the boat, so I had them modified (and got screwed, paid$265 to modify them- all the bonehead did was cut them off a bit, and put a piece of plastic at the end for the cable to go through)
Yesterday as we were all lifting the mast off my boat and installing the VHF antenna, wind direction, mast light, 2 of the helpers pointed out that this was not a suitable spreader, it was for a racing boat
Frantic calls to the boat yard did not help; however, he is got late last night a H36, and I am hoping it will fit OK
In response to Ed: yes, the mounting brackets are attached to the mast, I just need the spreaders to fit into them by sliding inside, and then bolted with one bolt; at least those brackets are good.
So if the spreaders of the H36 are not correct, I will need an extrusion and the end pieces.
I have looked at Rig Rite web page: is it the aerofoil 1" thick x 2,75" wide the one I need?
By the way, I got the spreaders BEFORE I heard of the Hunter owners'webpage: I would not have made a mistake, I assure you!
Thanks for all the help; I hope I can find them.
There is a nother solution of course: remove yours from your boat and give them to me; that will help
Just kidding, I feel more like crying, to tell you the truth: yestrday was supposed to be big day for me, was also my 31st. wedding anniversary
I can never "post a quick reply"

 

[Ed Schenck]

Your frustration is understood by all of us old boat owners. Especially since the money spent probably would have purchased the real deal from Rig-Rite. But congrats on the wedding anniversary. Almost coincides with the boat's anniversary.

Soon you will be out there, heeled over with a breeze in your face, and all of this will be forgotten. It is definitely worth the effort. Being homebound now I can assure you that is the case.

 

[Don Crowther]

You could also try these guys. They were a great help for me. They even had the correct sweep for my boat.

CHARLESTON SPAR - 3901 PINE GROVE CIRCLE CHARLOTTE NC 28206 USA Tel. 704 597 1502 Fax 704 597 0961 e-mail : info@charlestonspar.com

Don

 

[Manny]

Jorge, what's it matter if the spreaders were from a racing boat? Someone enlighten me, if they are the correct length, have the same strength as the original, and mount securely to the mast, should there be any concern?
Ask around the dock to get a recommendation on a good rigger in the area. Maybe they can help you determine if what you have is okay, or assist you with locating the proper spreaders.

Manny

 

[jorgefife]

Manny, all your points are valid, but here is the thing:
The spreaders are thinner, with a section sort of compressed in the whole length; at the section going into the mast bracket, they were cut at an angle; although they were 42 "(which I believe is the correct length) they looked mighty weak to me
I will send a picture
Even the end tip, it was cut out of a material resembling lexan, so altogether they were not the correct spreaders.
And even though the pressure is all into the section joining the mast, after all I went through I cannot risk a breakdown...as it is, I am about ready to tie 2 winches around my neck and jump into the Gulf...darn, it's only 4 feet deep, so could not even drown myself if I wanted!
But I will get there, pity there are no spreaders around, would love to buy some but nobody seems to have them

 

[Steve Dion]

Jorge:

If you cannot find them I suggest that you contact Buzz @ Ballenger Spar. He may have the specs. If he makes them for you, you will not be disappointed. If he cannot do it, he will tell you.

http://www.ballengerspars.com/

 

[jorgefife]

I spoke to Buzz this afternoon;he said all roads lead to Rig Rite: they are the ones with the specs
Got a price for the arms: $140.00 each, but the end pieces, at $70 each, I found a little expensive
My hope is that the Hunter 36 I am going to see tomorrow may produce 2 good spreaders, the same size as my H33
I will let you all know tomorrow...still amazed that there are no good used spreaders out there, I can find almost anything, but not the spreaders

 

[SamLust]

Jorge;

The spreaders just don't take all that much force. A few years back I destroyed one of my spreaders on a tree while hauling the boat down to the marina to be lifted in. In about 20 minutes I made up a spreader out of 3/4" plywood. I got the boat into the water on time. Sailed most of the season with it. When I got the correct piece fron Rig Rite I replaced it with the mast up. Not a big deal.

Sam

 

[jorgefife]

Never say die, that's always been my motto!
I went back to the yard, and I found 2 sets of spreaders: one set, 42" long, had damage on the bracket side, one side, about 2" squares, in missing; but the groove is on the inside so my bracket can slide in, and the end pieces are good.
So it will probably not be 42" but 40", if I cut the piece missing. Or else if I add/weld a piece that is missing, that's OK
The other set is 44 " long, but I can cut to 42"
The problem on that is that it had 3 cables with eyes at the end of the spreaders, but maybe I can change the end piece to accomadate a single cable
$80.00 per set, but I think I will go with the first lot, because they are exactly what was there before (I assume so by looking at the groove inside, where the brackwet slides
The big question is: does it weaken it by being welded on that small piece?
I think not
Being 2 inches shaorter, is that so bad?
Please be the devil's advocate in this scenario, please
I can send pictures, if it helps you good people to voice your opinion

 

[Ed Schenck]

No problem with welding it Jorge. Someone who welds aluminum will make it stronger than the surrounding metal. If you are really nervous then sleeve it. Use a solid piece inside the two. I think that you want the proper length in order to get the correct purchase/angle at the chainplate.

 

[jorgefife]

Dear Ed & Others,
Thanks for all the help: the good news is that upon taking both sets to the boat, turns out that one set is PERFECT!
Apart from the broken piece, one of the helpers that was there Wednesday to raise the mast (never got raised) came to look at them this morning, and took both sets out of my hands, and disappeared with them: he went to someone's business (another helper) and welded a sleeve just like you suggested ; but the integrity of the spreader was not compromised, because the groove on both sides where the bracket slides into is still there
He phoned me 3 hours later to inform me that all went well, and the spreaders were perfect
I felt like a proud father that just gets told the delivery of the baby went well.
So I am gratefulkl for this person's interest, and for all the comments/suggestions received by this forum to assist me
Now I am all ready to get the mast up, and continue
forward.
Will keep you informed
Thanks again
Jorge