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Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 9:19 am
by fishheadbarandgrill
I take noodles, split through one side and slide them on the spreaders. Instant bumpers. Just don't forget to take them off before you raise the mast. Lookks kind of funny.
Bob
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 9:29 am
by FinallySailing
fishheadbarandgrill wrote:I take noodles, split through one side and slide them on the spreaders. Instant bumpers. Just don't forget to take them off before you raise the mast. Lookks kind of funny.
Bob
Don't you get problems with seaguls attacking your boat with all this pasta stuck on your spreaders ???
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 9:52 am
by No Control
Sounds easy enough....but exactly how are you securing the spreaders to the mast?
Do you leave the endcaps attached to the shrouds?
David
Paul S wrote:Or just spend $5 and buy 2 hitch pins to replace the bolts. remove the spreaders when lowering the mast. Secure them to the mast while trailering. No chance of rubbing on the boat.
No cutting of the shrouds, spreaders, etc. No adjustments. nothing.
Easiest mod you can do on the boat. remove bolt, (optionally, if new pins are big - drill out holes a bit bigger), insert pins, done.
Makes life 110% easier when raising/lowering the mast.
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 10:34 am
by Paul S
No Control wrote:Sounds easy enough....but exactly how are you securing the spreaders to the mast?
Do you leave the endcaps attached to the shrouds?
David
Paul S wrote:Or just spend $5 and buy 2 hitch pins to replace the bolts. remove the spreaders when lowering the mast. Secure them to the mast while trailering. No chance of rubbing on the boat.
No cutting of the shrouds, spreaders, etc. No adjustments. nothing.
Easiest mod you can do on the boat. remove bolt, (optionally, if new pins are big - drill out holes a bit bigger), insert pins, done.
Makes life 110% easier when raising/lowering the mast.
The spreaders are still attached to the shrouds. Just remove the pin, take the spreader/shroud and secure to the mast (bungee, sailtie, whatever you use). put the pin back into the spreader base so you don't lose it.
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 11:06 am
by fishheadbarandgrill
How to keep seagulls off your noodles...
Don't use seafood marinara sauce.
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 11:48 am
by rtrinkle
I like the removable spreader idea... Haven't tried that yet.. But I replaced the forward lifeline pins with pelican hooks to keep them out of the way when raising and lowering the mast. With the mast crutch, the spreaders don't hit the boat even when traveling on highway..
OH yeah,,, use olive oil instead with salt and the seagulls won't come around..
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 3:20 pm
by c130king
Ditto what Paul said.
I always remove my spreaders. Makes moving the mast back and forth between mast base and pulpit much easier IMHO...especially when solo which is my normal situation.
YMMV
Cheers,
Jim
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 5:13 am
by Boblee
Just raised the front and back carry points and it helps for head clearance when camping on land with mast down as well as allowing the bimini to be raised without lifting the mast.
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:09 am
by Catigale
Re: new from MacGregor; spreaders on/under lifelines
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 9:21 am
by bscott
I cut 4" off my spreaders 3 yrs---works great and better main sail control for down wind.
Bob