Re: Angled Spreaders

Sailormann · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

Has been some discussion about spreaders being angled, etc. Took a look at mine when I was stepping this season. There is indeed a slight upward angle formed into the spreader support. Looks like the order of 5 or 7%. The support butts squarely on the mast.

Was looking at a couple of other boats' masts on the trestles. Their spreader supports appear to be straight 90 degree angles from the mast.

TrueBlue · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

During the winter layup following my first season owning our last boat, which had two masts, I checked over all the Selden spars which were set on cradles in the boatyard.

All four spreaders were correctly pitched to bisect the angles created by the shrouds and held in position by set screws. Fortunately, somebody knew what they were doing.

Giulietta · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

Normally from what I know is between 5 and 7 degrees, no more.

Not only it looks better, but a horizontal or drooped down spreader may have a tendency to slide down and cause failure.

Modern spreaders have turnbuckles installed and therefore they will not slide, so tilting them up, does equalize the angle between the lower shroud and the upper shroud, and reduces stress in doing so.

To me, when they are tilted upwards also makes it look really SEXY!!!

ehmanta · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

I was told that the spreader should bisect the angle of the shroud, which makes sense. If you have a carpenters sliding "T" bevel, you can quickly check the angle and adjust as necessary.

billyruffn · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

I recommend you check with the designer of the rig. I had a one rigger tell me after a rig inspection that the spreaders were sweep up and that was not right. He moved the spreaders to 90 deg. About 12,000 later another rigger pointed out to me that the hardware at the base of the spreader was designed for a slight upward angle. He wanted to move them up slightly. I checked the design drawings and found that the lower spreaders were designed to be set at 5 deg. and the uppers at 8 deg. up angle.

STILLRAINING (post below): MILES (I'd never give a rigger that many dollars unless he gave me a new standing rig.z0

Stillraining · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

Billy....12000...dollors...miles?

Dont get me started on riggers....Learn and become your own...IMHO

Giulietta · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

Billy..it just goes to show what some "professionals" really do..

I tell you, man..in this business the more we know, the better served we get...honestely

Stillraining · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giulietta

I tell you, man..in this business the more we know, the better served we get...honestely

Best quote from you yet Alex..

Giulietta · #9 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Best quote from you yet Alex..

Cool...I'll make it my signature!!! ehehehe

Sailormann · #10 (**permalink**) 04-26-2008

Mine don't seem to be angled when I look up at them, yet I know that they are because I made sure that they were square on their mounts and solid. The angle is not very apparent, and doesn't bisect the shroud angles...

I guess that's because the CS is such a great boat they don't have to stoop to rigging abnormalities in order to perform like lightning