Quick release spreaders

[1st Sail]

My '06 M just fits thru my my wharehouse door with the mast and mast arch removed. This is obviously a big plus for winter storage and keeping the boat clean during the summer. The current mast arch is approx. 10in. higher than the wharehouse door.

I'm thinking of converting the current arch so it has two height settings. Both height settings allow the mast to be attached to the bow pulpit for storage or transport. The lower setting allows the mast to remain attached to the bow pulpit with the spreaders removed. A second add on section allows the mast to be stored and transported (with spreaders on) and raised from the current height position as originally designed.

In order to save set up time I would like to replace the current spreader bolts with a safe, reliable quick release pin. Since the launch areas is just a few miles from my storage I'm not opposed to makeing the stays quick release as well. Overall the additional setup time out weighs the maintenance of storing outside. I purchased the boat used in Nov '06 and the PO stored the boat in his barn under a tarp. Needless to say the boat and trailer were in mint condition when I took possesion.

I would appreciate your thoughts and experience.

[Paul S]

I used 1/4" hitch pins for the spreaders this past season, and it worked out pefect. Made life a LOT easier setting up and breaking down. You might have to slightly enlarge the holes a hair, but it will work. Since the shrouds press the spreaders IN, there should be no danger of it coming apart. I havent found stainless pins, so the $3 ones from lowes work fine and will get a season or 2 out of them.

[c130king]

Paul,

Can you post some pics of those pins? I may do the same thing since I also now remove my spreaders when I trailer or store my boat.

Thanks,
Jim

[David Mellon]

I use these 1/4" pins for the forestay, spreaders, mainsail at the gooseneck and the boom gooseneck. The spreaders ones have been stored outside and show no sign of wear. The others are newer and save me a lot of setup time. I will be adding the Highfield Lever mod for the forestay before I go out again but may retain the same pin anyway. I found them at a local hardware store, not at Home Despot.

[AxelH]

You can find those pins at evrey tractor supply store
Axel

[Oskar 26M]

I use the same pins as David does for my spreaders. They work well.
I got mine from a trailer parts shop.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

the only prob with those is that they are not stainless, thus they corrode in the salt water environment.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Paul S]

the only prob with those is that they are not stainless, thus they corrode in the salt water environment.

Right, I replace them every year or 2. Few bucks each. I use the same (non stainless) on my snowplow and I get a few years on them.

The ones I use are the same as the one pictured above

Paul

[Nick]

I have modified most of the stainless steel bolts on the boat from the motor linkages to the gooseneck, mast base and spreaders by drilling a hole through the bolt and placing a stainless keyring thingy through it. Cheers Nick

[noahvale]

I have about a dozen of those in stainless that came with an inflatable pontoon boat. I used them for a while, but replaced them with shackles I got at http://www.marinepartdepot.com/
They have good prices and quick shipping.