Hey, What's This Thing?

[RobertB]

The mast on my kind of lays on its side when in the shipping/transport configuration.
Yes, the spreaders pin in the swiveling fitting attached to the mast. From the factory, they are "pinned" with bolts. I use clevis pins like on the shrouds (but longer).
To avoid a spreader end rubbing on the deck, I had been tying up the spreaders to the lifelines - a PITA. As shipped from the factory, the spreader ends were wrapped in carpet scraps.
As far as shroud tension preventing inserting the spreader bars into the swiveling "socket", I have not experienced this issue (but it is close).

To get more information, search the forum for "spreaders"

[BOAT]

Oh, that reminds me - I need to get more of that carpet - I guess I need to call the factory for that?

I will go hunting down that "spreaders" trail like you said. Thanks.

[DaveB]

Dimitri,
Why didn't you bring that along on one of our Cayo Costa trips?
Dave

Oh, I've seen one of those at a redneck BBQ:



Seriously, those slot adjusters work great, I have one made out of wood that I think I got from BWY. Without one, you have to keep unpinning the forestay and using the mast raising system to get the shrouds tight enough.

I think the proper way to describe how to use it is that one bolt goes through the slot adjuster for the lower shroud and the other bolt goes through the slot adjuster of the upper shroud. Then, depending on whether the handle is facing fore or aft, you will be using leverage to tighten one of the shrouds while using the other shroud's slot adjuster connection to the chainplate as the leverage base point.

[DaveB]

I agree if single handed, it's easy for two persons raiseing mast by twisting slightly moving spreader to one side above lifelines and go back other way.
It is simple with two persons but single handed better to have gate lock levers on life lines so all one has to do is release and reclamp once mast is raised.
I added a 8 inch wood dowel inside my spreaders to give extra support at the base.
Most spreaders fail at the connection to the spreader bracket, they bend mostly by those who trailer there boats with spreaders resting on lifelines.
Keep spreaders below lifelines trailering.
Dave

I think the easiest way is to have a shackle on the lifeline connections so you can loosen them and have the spreaders ride over top of them without having to try to get them under.

[mastreb]

To avoid a spreader end rubbing on the deck, I had been tying up the spreaders to the lifelines - a PITA. As shipped from the factory, the spreader ends were wrapped in carpet scraps.

I just toss the spreaders (and shrouds) in the cabin (along with the halyard, jib sheets, and furler line) and close the cabin top hatch. I do use a shackle to gather the shrouds together before they go into the cabin. I trailer quite a bit on the freeway, and have never had any problem with it.

[Catigale]

The stress point for this mode of operation is the gooseneck attachment point to the mast..inspect carefully and make sure neither the rivets are loose nor the gooseneck casting is cracking.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Yea Dave, that might be an idea, but not sure where I'm going to stow a rake onboard

I have shackles on the rear attachment point of the front lifelines. This way, I just undo them and the lifelines fall down low where the spreaders can travel above them without touching.

[NiceAft]

The stress point for this mode of operation is the gooseneck attachment point to the mast..inspect carefully and make sure neither the rivets are loose nor the gooseneck casting is cracking.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link

Ray