MacGregorSailors.com

THanks Bob. My only concern is that I'd have to fork out for a swaging tool if the shrounds ended up to long, but someone else said they will still fit (with 4 inches cut off) so I reckon I may just do it when I have some time to play.

The only thing I'm not comfortable with here is the shortening stuff with the alteration of the original design geometry and the resulting load limits. Why would you willingly shorten a stay angle, and continue to feel safe about it

Ross .... (and I know nothing - really!)

Mac26Mpaul wrote:THanks Bob. My only concern is that I'd have to fork out for a swaging tool if the shrounds ended up to long, but someone else said they will still fit (with 4 inches cut off) so I reckon I may just do it when I have some time to play.

You could cut one side and see if the shroud still works. If it does'nt, Ace is the Place to get another alum tube. I cut mine 'cause I like to beam reach and the spreaders get in the way. I believe the new :macm:s have shorter spreaders.

3 years with no rigging problems--but I have adjustable backstays which I ease off for down wind running-we have big wind shears on my mtn. lake

Bob

Crikey wrote:The only thing I'm not comfortable with here is the shortening stuff with the alteration of the original design geometry and the resulting load limits. Why would you willingly shorten a stay angle, and continue to feel safe about it

Ross .... (and I know nothing - really!)

Yes but the word is that they are now being shipped from the factory with the spreaders 4 inches shorter, and if Roger has worked out he can do it without any issues, I'm sure we can do it. It would really be nice if Mike would come along and give us some clarification on this.

Mac26Mpaul wrote:

Crikey wrote:The only thing I'm not comfortable with here is the shortening stuff with the alteration of the original design geometry and the resulting load limits. Why would you willingly shorten a stay angle, and continue to feel safe about it

Ross .... (and I know nothing - really!)

Yes but the word is that they are now being shipped from the factory with the spreaders 4 inches shorter, and if Roger has worked out he can do it without any issues, I'm sure we can do it. It would really be nice if Mike would come along and give us some clarification on this.

Yes - agree on that last point!
I have a 2010 and don't know if what you said about the four inch (each side?) reduction applying to this year's model. I still have to do the dance in order to get them under the lines. Regardless, if there was a reduction would any of the other geometries have to be altered - like chainplate fore & aft location and spreader height attachment point, to accomodate

Shortening the spreaders by 4" only reduces the upper shroud length by something like 7/8", so if they're anything like the new shrouds on my , which are right at the very end of their adjustment range (they're short), there's plenty of room to take up the slack without modifying the shrouds themselves. The point where they clamp into the spreader tip would have to be moved a little, but that's it other than shortening the chainplate adjustment point.

Crikey wrote:

Mac26Mpaul wrote:

Crikey wrote:The only thing I'm not comfortable with here is the shortening stuff with the alteration of the original design geometry and the resulting load limits. Why would you willingly shorten a stay angle, and continue to feel safe about it

Ross .... (and I know nothing - really!)

Yes but the word is that they are now being shipped from the factory with the spreaders 4 inches shorter, and if Roger has worked out he can do it without any issues, I'm sure we can do it. It would really be nice if Mike would come along and give us some clarification on this.

Yes - agree on that last point!
I have a 2010 and don't know if what you said about the four inch (each side?) reduction applying to this year's model. I still have to do the dance in order to get them under the lines. Regardless, if there was a reduction would any of the other geometries have to be altered - like chainplate fore & aft location and spreader height attachment point, to accomodate

You (and I) already have the shorter factory spreaders Ross. I can't imagine how much of a pain the Mac dance is with the longer ones. In an case, taking them off completely solves the problem for me so I'm no longer worried about it.

Matt

Yes, the easy out pin thing seems the thing in the end

mastreb wrote:You (and I) already have the shorter factory spreaders Ross. I can't imagine how much of a pain the Mac dance is with the longer ones. In an case, taking them off completely solves the problem for me so I'm no longer worried about it.

That begs the question, what are the lengths of the original and the 'shorter' spreaders? BWY shows 44" for 1995-current and units. Mine are 44", because I made them that long because that's what they showed on their web site, and that's what the ones on the boat were that I checked against.

I have too much rake in my mast (visually - haven't dropped a plumb to check), and it may be due to those new upper shrouds being too short due to the spreaders being too long. I had to shorten the adjusters on the lower shrouds when I changed out the upper shrouds, which is the first clue.

44 inches stock on my 2002 as of five minutes ago. MMGW ([strikethrough]has[/strikethrough], has not) been accounted for in this measurement

(Can anyone tell I have been doing too many FAR RFQs this week??)

Shorter spreaders will allow more side bend in the mast, hence changes mainsail twist. Sometimes good, sometimes not.

My life lines disconnect for ease of mast raising. however I like the idea of removing the spreaders and securing everything to the mast for distance traveling. personal best, 25 minutes from exiting the car to backing the boat into the water. Yes please don't use anything blue on your boats we don't what to enhance the beauty, aesthetics and speed of those boring bland white hulls.

Here is a SS aternative to the lock pins. If anyone is interested...

http://www.millerproductsco.com/lock_pins

extreem wrote:Here is a SS aternative to the lock pins. If anyone is interested...

http://www.millerproductsco.com/lock_pins

Ah Stainless!

Was waiting for that one - thanks....

I just ordered some quick pins with lanyards for my dodger and solar panel from these guys.

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/?gclid=C ... 4AodyQrLTw

Lots of good stainless parts at a good price. Very happy with all my dealings with them.

Russell