BENT SHROUD SPREADER

[TC]

I just noticed prior to this year's launch that I have a slight bend (with accompanying buckle) at the base of my port upper shroud spreader. I raised the mast anyway and noted that it straightened out a bit. However, I'm assuming that this can't be good as it would be duly weakened. I emailed BWY for a price but havn't received a reply yet. I sailed her, same day, in a pretty stiff breeze. No problems yet. Is it just a matter of time until it goes by the board? I don't know if it was from briefly laying the genoa on top or from a previous incident.

TC

[Jeff Drumm]

You can make your own out of aluminum tubing available at most machine shops. I did . . . took about 45 minutes.

[Catigale]

Turned one of mine into a hockey stick first season on Lake Champlain

Cause was too loose rigging and shock loads - sailing in too much wind.

Replacement was about $20 with shipping - trick is to find the responsive source....

(Now Captain!) Catigale

[TC]

Catigale, If anything I was thinking my shrouds may be a little too tight. I sure didn't see this when I put her away at the end of last season. What happened (at the mast) when you bucked yours? Did you still have the mast standing? As far as the shroad clamp, is it just a matter of popping it off the end?

[Catigale]

I might be wrong on this but Im not sure you can get the shrouds too tight on the X....if they are so tight as to cause a spreader to fail, I doubt you could get the forestay on, especially by hand or foot.

This is speculation on my part

I didnt notice it until I got home TC - no effect on my sailing, but, shall I say, I wasnt a Captain then....

End cap pops off with a couple of Phillips screws IRRC.

[Murv Barry]

You can also reverse the spreader and put the damaged end toward the outside.....Murv