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So I'm modifying this 22 foot mast to be used on my catamaran (Solcat 18) because the original mast is too big and heavy for one person to raise (I'm almost always sailing solo). This smaller mast cast came from Islands 17 dinghy and had one set of spreaders which are fairly swept back. The original spreaders were fairly lightweight aluminum pipe, there was only one left, and in poor shape, so I have to make new ones.
My questions are:
Is it OK to get rid of the spreaders?
My gut feeling is 'no'. But they are swept back so much that going downwind they will be seriously interfering with the sail, likely to the point of rubbing the crap out of it. So the next question is:
Should I change the spreader sweep, and to what extent?
Because my cat has a 1.5 feet wider beam than the boat from which the mast came, I have to make the spreaders longer (which makes them interfere with the sail that much more). I'm making the spreaders out of aluminum rod, about the same diameter as the original aluminum pipe. I have the rods already so it is not a matter of cost, but maybe that is not the best material? So the last question:
Is aluminum rod a good choice for these spreaders?
Thanks for your help!
My questions are:
Is it OK to get rid of the spreaders?
My gut feeling is 'no'. But they are swept back so much that going downwind they will be seriously interfering with the sail, likely to the point of rubbing the crap out of it. So the next question is:
Should I change the spreader sweep, and to what extent?
Because my cat has a 1.5 feet wider beam than the boat from which the mast came, I have to make the spreaders longer (which makes them interfere with the sail that much more). I'm making the spreaders out of aluminum rod, about the same diameter as the original aluminum pipe. I have the rods already so it is not a matter of cost, but maybe that is not the best material? So the last question:
Is aluminum rod a good choice for these spreaders?
Thanks for your help!