I found it necessary to take a trip to the top of my mast last week and on the way up noticed that the port side spreader was separating from the mast. It was standing off about 1/4". I did not notice if the mast was dented, and I think that visual would have stuck in my mind even though I was a bit freaked out about being that far off the deck. What could be causing this condition and how can I fix it?
*yks Spreader Separating From Mast
- Thread starter newbiesailor
- Start date
- Status
Might not be a problem.
The spreader slips over a metal 'tang' that's permantly attached to the mast, a bolt then passes through both to keep them together. Is the bolt still there? I don't recall any gap on my spreaders, but if the bolt is still in place, and with the tension of the stays against the spreader, the spreader should be forced into the correct position. The other thing I would look at is the angle of the spreader. It should angle up slightly, compare it to the other spreader. If they both appear the same, you're probably OK. The only way to know for sure however, is to hire a professional rigger to inspect and adjust your rig.
The spreader slips over a metal 'tang' that's permantly attached to the mast, a bolt then passes through both to keep them together. Is the bolt still there? I don't recall any gap on my spreaders, but if the bolt is still in place, and with the tension of the stays against the spreader, the spreader should be forced into the correct position. The other thing I would look at is the angle of the spreader. It should angle up slightly, compare it to the other spreader. If they both appear the same, you're probably OK. The only way to know for sure however, is to hire a professional rigger to inspect and adjust your rig.
Thanks Dale
I will take a another look at it today. I assumed that the spreader was attached with rivets and could not imagine how they could have loosened enough for that gap to appear. The only rigger I trust in this area is booked into September. We moved the boat to the lake in February and have not checked the tension on the stays with a guage. Learning how to tension that rig is (now) my first priority.
I will take a another look at it today. I assumed that the spreader was attached with rivets and could not imagine how they could have loosened enough for that gap to appear. The only rigger I trust in this area is booked into September. We moved the boat to the lake in February and have not checked the tension on the stays with a guage. Learning how to tension that rig is (now) my first priority.
Honeyman
Thanks. Paul now works for Yacht Harbour full time and I heard that if you want any work done you have to take your boat there. He has done excellent work on my boat for several years but he didn't want to tune my rigging because he was unfamiliar with a non backstay system. Is there anyone else?
Thanks. Paul now works for Yacht Harbour full time and I heard that if you want any work done you have to take your boat there. He has done excellent work on my boat for several years but he didn't want to tune my rigging because he was unfamiliar with a non backstay system. Is there anyone else?
Spreader spread
We have a 1976 Hunter 30, we bought in September and it almost ready to go in the water after a total refit. I just notice that one of the welds was cracked on my port tang (spreader holder) so I had to drill out the rivets, have it welded and rivet it back on, the bolt only holds the mouting plate (with the rivet holes). My welder siad the original weld was poor quality, and I am not sure this is an original hunter mast, I think its a keynyon
We have a 1976 Hunter 30, we bought in September and it almost ready to go in the water after a total refit. I just notice that one of the welds was cracked on my port tang (spreader holder) so I had to drill out the rivets, have it welded and rivet it back on, the bolt only holds the mouting plate (with the rivet holes). My welder siad the original weld was poor quality, and I am not sure this is an original hunter mast, I think its a keynyon
Details of H33 spreader and mast tang
To follow up on Dale Baker's post, the attached photo shows the construction of the spreader which is an extrusion and the tang, over which the extrusion fits. You can see the bolt hole through the tang fitting but as Dale points out, the tension of the shroud should keep the spreader from sliding out anyway. The screws holding the tang onto the mast are simply tapped into the rather thick mast extrusion.
To follow up on Dale Baker's post, the attached photo shows the construction of the spreader which is an extrusion and the tang, over which the extrusion fits. You can see the bolt hole through the tang fitting but as Dale points out, the tension of the shroud should keep the spreader from sliding out anyway. The screws holding the tang onto the mast are simply tapped into the rather thick mast extrusion.
Do I Need To Drop The Mast?
Thanks for the photos Terry. I think my problem is that the screws (or bolts) holding the mounting plate have backed out of the mast. Does anyone know if this can this be fixed without dropping the mast? Monty, Paul was the rigger I mentioned that is booked until September. I am not aware of anyone else but you might contact the Austin Yacht Club for a recommendation.
Thanks for the photos Terry. I think my problem is that the screws (or bolts) holding the mounting plate have backed out of the mast. Does anyone know if this can this be fixed without dropping the mast? Monty, Paul was the rigger I mentioned that is booked until September. I am not aware of anyone else but you might contact the Austin Yacht Club for a recommendation.
Drop the mast? Hmm
Just thinking out loud here. If the screws are backing out, I'd think you'd want to release the tension on the spreader to properly seat them. An experienced rigger might use the jib and main halyards as temporary shrouds, loosen the tension on the shrouds and climb the mast to do the repair. But I don't think anyone who doesn't have the skills and knowledge of Brion Toss should try that. If it were me, at this point, and with your concerns. I'd step the mast, do the repair (myself) on flat ground, then re-step the mast. Safest way, and would allow you to inspect the rest of the rigging, check and replace wiring, anchor lights, etc. Newbie, keep this up, and before long you'll have to change your handle to Seasonedsailor. Terry, great photos. And a lesson to all of us. Take the oppurtunity to take digital photos of any part of your boat you can. No telling when you'll need them.
Just thinking out loud here. If the screws are backing out, I'd think you'd want to release the tension on the spreader to properly seat them. An experienced rigger might use the jib and main halyards as temporary shrouds, loosen the tension on the shrouds and climb the mast to do the repair. But I don't think anyone who doesn't have the skills and knowledge of Brion Toss should try that. If it were me, at this point, and with your concerns. I'd step the mast, do the repair (myself) on flat ground, then re-step the mast. Safest way, and would allow you to inspect the rest of the rigging, check and replace wiring, anchor lights, etc. Newbie, keep this up, and before long you'll have to change your handle to Seasonedsailor. Terry, great photos. And a lesson to all of us. Take the oppurtunity to take digital photos of any part of your boat you can. No telling when you'll need them.
To the Hounds!
As has been stated, the spreader, which is a basic extrusion, is slipped over the "tang " that accepts it. The curve on the spreader where it meets the mast was done (often crudely) by hand. If some portion of the spreader touches the base you should be OK. The retainer screw should not bear the force, even though it is not all that great. I have removed and replaced the spreader with the mast up, with the boat in the water. Just run a halyard to the rail and snug it down fairly tight.
As has been stated, the spreader, which is a basic extrusion, is slipped over the "tang " that accepts it. The curve on the spreader where it meets the mast was done (often crudely) by hand. If some portion of the spreader touches the base you should be OK. The retainer screw should not bear the force, even though it is not all that great. I have removed and replaced the spreader with the mast up, with the boat in the water. Just run a halyard to the rail and snug it down fairly tight.
Checked Rigging Tension
I had an experienced sailor friend take a look at the spreader with his binoculars. He could not see the seperation that I saw as I was being hoisted up the mast. Is it possible that my weight on the mast was causing some distortion? Anyway I invested in a Loos (spelling?) tension guage and we checked the upper and lower shrouds on both sides and they measured out in the range of 38-41. (I seem to recall that value equates to about 840lbs.) Does anyone know what value they should be tensioned to?
I had an experienced sailor friend take a look at the spreader with his binoculars. He could not see the seperation that I saw as I was being hoisted up the mast. Is it possible that my weight on the mast was causing some distortion? Anyway I invested in a Loos (spelling?) tension guage and we checked the upper and lower shrouds on both sides and they measured out in the range of 38-41. (I seem to recall that value equates to about 840lbs.) Does anyone know what value they should be tensioned to?
Loos Gauge
I'm glad you had an experienced friend check the spreader out. Myself, I'm the guy that would have ran my halyards to the toe rail, loosened the top shroud, climbed up and fixed it. I don't think you're ready for that. OK, Loos gauge. It's been a while since I checked out the Loos web-site, try it. They recommend tensions based on the wire size. On my Loos I marked the guage numbers that I use for my shrouds. Unfortunatly I loaned my guage to my brother so have to work from memory here. I believe they recommend 10-12% of the wire's breaking tension, which I think was 31 or 32 on the Loos guage. Check out this page on the Loos site. http://www.loosnaples.com/howto/tensiongauge.htm
I'm glad you had an experienced friend check the spreader out. Myself, I'm the guy that would have ran my halyards to the toe rail, loosened the top shroud, climbed up and fixed it. I don't think you're ready for that. OK, Loos gauge. It's been a while since I checked out the Loos web-site, try it. They recommend tensions based on the wire size. On my Loos I marked the guage numbers that I use for my shrouds. Unfortunatly I loaned my guage to my brother so have to work from memory here. I believe they recommend 10-12% of the wire's breaking tension, which I think was 31 or 32 on the Loos guage. Check out this page on the Loos site. http://www.loosnaples.com/howto/tensiongauge.htm
spreader
newbiesailor, I had the mast off my H36 (81) to re-do the electrical after my lightning strike Aug 03 and I couldn't get my spreaders off with the bolt/machine screws removed, but there was some flex in the vertical direction. I'd bet that if you stood on the spreader and then noted the separation then you probably pivioted around the bolt and just opened the gap at the top side of the spreader as you eluded to in you last posting. You spreader isn't going anywhere with the compressive force that the shrouds place on the spreader and the tang detail.
newbiesailor, I had the mast off my H36 (81) to re-do the electrical after my lightning strike Aug 03 and I couldn't get my spreaders off with the bolt/machine screws removed, but there was some flex in the vertical direction. I'd bet that if you stood on the spreader and then noted the separation then you probably pivioted around the bolt and just opened the gap at the top side of the spreader as you eluded to in you last posting. You spreader isn't going anywhere with the compressive force that the shrouds place on the spreader and the tang detail.
- Status