Spreaders

[sailaway21]

Everything I read says that spreaders should bifurcate the angle of the shroud equally, above and below. I cannot recall seeing any boat where this was so. In most cases this would involve the soreader tip being higher than at the base, ie..off horizontal. Illumination?

[Tartan34C]

That’s odd, I don’t see many that aren’t tipped up. It’s done that way so the spreader tip has as much force pushing up as down so the spreader doesn’t have a tendency to slide down the wire.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[sailingdog]

I agree, most of the spreaders I see do bisect the shrouds.

As Robert has stated, if the spreader doesn't bisect the angle of the shroud, the forces on the spreader aren't inward, along its length, but will tend to rotate it...and the more it rotates, the stronger the forces will be... eventually the spreader will collapse...and then there goes the mast. Most spreaders have little strength to resist any torsion, and really only have strength in compression. Many newer spreaders have a "lock" that tightens down on the shroud, helping keep it positioned properly.

[skyepyrate]

Can anyone direct me to someone who could manufacture some new spreaders to replace my wooden rotten ones on my old Downeast 32?

[Tartan34C]

Originally Posted by skyepyrate

Can anyone direct me to someone who could manufacture some new spreaders to replace my wooden rotten ones on my old Downeast 32?

In the past I have used Dwyer in North Branford CT. The phone is 203-484-0419 and the e-mail is sail@dwyermast.com. Rigrite in RI is also good but sometimes slow.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[mike dryver]

skypyrate why can't you make your own? they are really simple to do. it would take about 1/2 to an hr. for each at the extreme to cut them out and a two or three days to put a finish on. just copy an old one!

[dustdevil38]

I had JSI make me a new pair. Nice job. Easy to talk to. Their website is www.newjsi.com.

[skyepyrate]

Thanks for the JSI tip . I talked with Dave Johnson today , great to talk to , and it looks like they can fill the bill for a comparable cost , and quicker than I could do by making a copy.