Blown Spreader on Cal 29

chartscharts · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2011

I just bought a CAL 29 from a friend who I know cares for his boat. So it was just dumb luck that this happened on my first voyage on my new boat. It could've easily have happened during the sea trial prior to the sale, but alas...

Was sailing along on a port tack for about an hour when BANG...loud noise, and pieces-parts raining down on deck. Looked up, saw the shroud not attached to the spreader any more! I didn't realize the spreaders were made out of wood!

Rounded up into the wind, started engine, dropped sails, made it back to port none the worse for wear, personally anyway. Pic here (spreader-damage | Flickr - Photo Sharing!), taken from forward of the mast, shows the port shroud not attached to the end of the port spreader (right side of pic, still has a part hanging off it). You can see the splintered wood where the spreader failed. You can also see how the top of the mast seems a bit bent to starboard. I'm assuming that happened when she blew but before I rounded up.

My questions, if anyone is kind enough to offer advance.

1) I'll probably pay someone to fix this for me. How much are we talking for cost? I'm assuming new spreader, reattaching the shroud, and then tuning, it I imagine. I'm not sure though which is why I'm asking for advice.

2) Any thoughts on the new spreader? I'm not so keen on wood spreaders.

3) Is the mast slight bend a major problem? Or will she straighten out once the spreader is replaced and the shrouds hooked up properly again.

Thanks again for any advice!

-Charts

MARC2012 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2011

Should straighten when tuned.Do not know other 2.marc

Cal28 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by chartscharts

2) Any thoughts on the new spreader? I'm not so keen on wood spreaders.

Thanks again for any advice!

-Charts

Charts ...

I own a Cal 28 flushdeck and tried to put together a list of OEM's ... and other sources for my own reference ...

you might try Rig-Rite ... for replacement ... never dealt with them myself

MarkSF · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

Am I alone in thinking it might be a good idea to slacken off the equivalent shroud on the other side now, to remove that bend in the mast? The rigger can always re-tighten it.

Well I know that Catalina 30s originally came with wooden spreaders, and you see them for sale with updated metal ones, and it mentioned in the ad like it's a desirable upgrade.

A quick search on "Cal 29 wooden spreader upgrade" came up with this :

http://myboatwiki.com/boat-deck-repa...s-1419191.html

Interesting tip about painting the tops white.

HPLou · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

The major cost for the new spreaders will be the labor cost. If they replace the spreaders with mast up, it will require the use of a crane or they can unstep the mast to install the new spreaders.

As for the bend in the mast, it will straighten out when the new spreaders are installed. I would advise taking the tension off the starboard upper shroud while waiting for the new spreaders.

tommays · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

I don't think you bent the mast as its a massive extrusion

Mine were changed to metal many years ago and i would think the surviving spreader is suffering from neglect as the wood ones require pretty regular varnish

The lower cost way is going to make wood again as there is are no off the shelf units

http://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?c...me=DM-730+Mast

dwyer amoung other spar shops does make them in metal

Were you able to find the metal tip from the old one ?

svHyLyte · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

As an alternative to Rig-Rite you might want to check out Seal's Spars and Rigging , the acknowledged expert(s) on early Cal's.

FWIW...

BigZ · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

JSI also makes replacement spreaders. I haven't used them, so can't give any more info than that, but it might be worth a shot.
JSI's Spar Shop

mitiempo · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011

Metal will be less maintenance, but the wooden ones you have are ancient. Properly cared for wood lasts a long time.

A good rigger can replace them from a bosuns chair and doesn't need a crane.

I would loosen the opposite shroud until the spreaders are replaced.

Whatever you do replace both.

chartscharts · #10 (**permalink**) 08-01-2011

"Were you able to find the metal tip from the old one?"

Unless it's that small thing still attached to the shroud in the picture, it must've gone over the side.

Thanks for the hints and info, everyone. Very useful.

I'll call some of those outfits and see what they say. They might have an idea of what a reasonable labor charge for an install would be as well.

I'll definitely replace both of them.

-Charts