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See how they are bent where they attach to the mast.

Mine aren't bent, they are inserted into the bent tubing but I do not remember any bends. They are drilled in such a fashion that one fits better than the other on a particular side. I am going to look again when I get home, but I really do not remember any bends in the main part of the tubing. Take a look at page 5 in the M manual (can be found on the left if you do not have it) in the upper right corner. That spreader tube is straight going into the bent section.

on edit: Yeah I just got home and mine are straight.

Both spreaders connect to one bracket in the front and then bend back.

Russ,
Only the bracket in front of the mast pivot point on the should have a bend to it. The spreader tubes themselves should be straight.

Doug

parrothead wrote:

Both spreaders connect to one bracket in the front and then bend back.

Russ,
Only the bracket in front of the mast pivot point on the should have a bend to it. The spreader tubes themselves should be straight.

Okay, I'm shoveling some snow off and taking a look. I could swear the bend backward in both spreaders was intentional.
Maybe Roger changed the design in '08
Pics to follow.

--Russ

Need to check again - but I think the spreaders on the 26M are straight tubes sitting in the bent fitting which is attached to the mast.

re: the annoying key ring shackles:

- ok Fank C., I'll live with them for a while but I will grow out my right thumbnail, underlay the extruding part with stainlees steel and mount a pair of reading glasses to my nose.......that should do it......I think

Russ,

That's unusual. The spreaders on the M are straight aluminum tubing (44" X 1") & held to the mast by a SS pivoting bent bracket. My spreader bent near the bracket while trailering... since aluminum is too soft to safely straighten without causing a kink, I chose to replace it. If I have to do it again, I'd probably take the above advise & go SS.

Okay,
I took another look and the spreaders are straight aluminum. I guess my mind saw the bracket as part of the spreader.
Sorry about the snow. We got a few inches yesterday. It's been a long winter but this weekend is supposed to be around 70 and we might put her in then.


There is a slight bend upward in the spreader. However when I stepped the mast it pulled it straight. I'm still thinking replacing it is a good idea. A little more weight but the SS idea sounds good.

I'm still thinking replacing it is a good idea

Russ, too much thought Replace it. If you don't, and it goes out on you, you will have plenty of time to think about what you should have done way back in April The advice you have been receiving is good!

There is an old joke about how a fellow was caught in a flood. His house was filling with water when a canoeist came by the man's front door and offered rescue. He declined saying the Lord will provide. When the water rose to second floor, a man in a row boat came by to offer assistance. The fellow in the house refused, and said the Lord will provide. When the water rose to the roof, a helicopter offered assistance, and again the reply was the same. After the fellow drowned and went to heaven, he was mad! He asked why the Lord did not rescue him. The reply was, "I sent two boats and a helicopter, what else did you want?"

You have the advice of Frank, tangentair, Jack Sparrow, parrothead, etc., replace the spreader. While you're at it , get a second for when you do it again. I speak from personal experience

Ray

I might be misquoting him, or maybe he didnt say this, but IIRC Chip Hindes, who busts stuff for a living, pointed out that making the spreaders stronger (like SS) might make them the non-weakest part of the rig.

Since they are the easiest and cheapest alternative to ripping out chainplates from hull, snapping masts, etc you might not want this to be the case.

NiceAft wrote:Russ, too much thought Replace it. If you don't, and it goes out on you, you will have plenty of time to think about what you should have done way back in April The advice you have been receiving is good!

You're right!

So, next question.

What size is this tubing?

44" X 1" X .030

Is that the aluminum size?
I can measure the length, but what is the wall size?

The OD is 1" (25mm)
The ID is 27/32" (21.5mm)
The thickness is 1/16"

I know the math does not add up: 1" minus 1/16" = 15/16 not 13.5/16

I keep checking the the caliper, and those are the numbers I keep getting?

Ray

NiceAft wrote:The OD is 1" (25mm)
The ID is 27/32" (21.5mm)
The thickness is 1/16"

I know the math does not add up: 1" minus 1/16" = 15/16 not 13.5/16

I keep checking the the caliper, and those are the numbers I keep getting?

Ray

Okay...so .06 is the thickness.

Thanks. I'm gonna try and pick one up tomorrow. Can't be that hard to fabricate and install.

NiceAft wrote:I know the math does not add up: 1" minus 1/16" = 15/16 not 13.5/16

ID = OD minus 2 x wall thickness I.e. 7/8", or 28/32" - your callipers are close

I had to do this replacement on my last autumn, very easy with stock tube. The UK Mac dealer had quoted me equivalent of around $150 for two spreaders, delivered. Cost of tube from metal merchant around $20.

Cheers, Rick

I recall that someone once posted a 'mild reinforcement' was possible.
He discovered that one of the PVC sizes (maybe 3/4" Sched 200 ??) could be shoved inside the aluminum tubing.

I looked at replacing mine also because they appeared bent from trailering. The PO had the upper shroud cable bungied too tight to the mast. That pulled the spreader up but they seem to straighten when the mast is up.

http://www.macgregor26.com/suppliers_co ... ty_rr.html

Just went out and looked. They do not look like the 1/8 inch wall as the Macgregor web site states. More like 1/16 inch.