Today raising my mast in readiness to launch tomorrow I bent my starboard spreader. It was stupid, everything was ready to raise the mast but with a quite strong wind coming over the port side we were trying to make sure the mast stayed reasonably central using a halyard. The mast was going up easily but canted to the starboard side and getting tight, I should have stopped winding but carried on - there was a "twang" and then the mast went up easily.
On checking it was obvious that the starboard spreader was bent, further investigation showed that the problem had been an auxiliary halyard that I had rigged from the spreader to a cleat on the lower stay and that I must have tightened it when the mast was down was too short and had distorted the spreader.
We tried to straighten the spreader but I'm not happy to have any distortion that may fail under load so I need to make a new one. The spreader is made of anodised 1"(25.4) aluminium tube wall thickness 2mm
Has any member sourced a suitable replacement from in the UK ?
It would seem to me that 25mm would be OK but might need a little adjustment in fitting the end caps which are made for the 1"
I have read all the previous posts re spreaders but there is no suggestion of a supplier of suitable tube.
It's true 1", and 14 swg is close to 2mm. Doesn't say anodised, but does say for marine use. They will cut to length. Not sure how much shipping would be.
HTH
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Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Hi . I have damaged the Spreaders on DUSTY some years ago and did á quick fix with an Industrial Mop Handle that is used in almost any Commercial Kitchen or School . A School Janitor or Contract Cleaner should be able to help. If you would prefer new one go to á Janitiorial supply company.
I agree the aluminium spreaders are potentially weak but once properly rigged there shouldn't be a bending force on them. They main load comes I think when raising or manojvering the mast especially if something caught around them. There is a logic in having stuff that is high up the mast as light as possible to reducing the healing moment and aid self righting protection.
I now always in couple spreaders when drugging to reduce the chance of bending them while manoeuvring , plus it helps the plastic firmer to lie better. If not doing that then some would advocate using the special below paste where aluminium meets steel.
Today raising my mast in readiness to launch tomorrow I bent my starboard spreader. It was stupid, everything was ready to raise the mast but with a quite strong wind coming over the port side we were trying to make sure the mast stayed reasonably central using a halyard. The mast was going up easily but canted to the starboard side and getting tight, I should have stopped winding but carried on - there was a "twang" and then the mast went up easily.
On checking it was obvious that the starboard spreader was bent, further investigation showed that the problem had been an auxiliary halyard that I had rigged from the spreader to a cleat on the lower stay and that I must have tightened it when the mast was down was too short and had distorted the spreader.
We tried to straighten the spreader but I'm not happy to have any distortion that may fail under load so I need to make a new one. The spreader is made of anodised 1"(25.4) aluminium tube wall thickness 2mm
Has any member sourced a suitable replacement from in the UK ?
It would seem to me that 25mm would be OK but might need a little adjustment in fitting the end caps which are made for the 1"
I have read all the previous posts re spreaders but there is no suggestion of a supplier of suitable tube.
Needless to say I won't be launching tomorrow!!
Hi John
I just did a quick web search and turned up this: https://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/1-in-x-14-swg-aluminium-round-tube
It's true 1", and 14 swg is close to 2mm. Doesn't say anodised, but does say for marine use. They will cut to length. Not sure how much shipping would be.
HTH
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Hi . I have damaged the Spreaders on DUSTY some years ago and did á quick fix with an Industrial Mop Handle that is used in almost any Commercial Kitchen or School . A School Janitor or Contract Cleaner should be able to help. If you would prefer new one go to á Janitiorial supply company.
I found a suitable replacement at a local welding shop
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
Metal supermarket in Southampton supplied me with replacement in past. In fact I have two such items in my garage. Not sure how to get it to you.
Roly
I replaced mine with stainless as they get damaged so easily, used https://www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/stainless-steel/stainless-steel-tub... and had them cut to length costing just under £50
Wow !
What a super speedy response - where else could you get such a service !!
Thanks for all your suggestions and offers - I am hoping to be able to find a replacement locally today - I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again.
John
I think Homebase do 1 inch S/S used to support kitchen work tops .
Just be careful with that as it won't be marine grade, i.e. it will most likely be 304 as opposed to 316 and will rust in time.
I agree the aluminium spreaders are potentially weak but once properly rigged there shouldn't be a bending force on them. They main load comes I think when raising or manojvering the mast especially if something caught around them. There is a logic in having stuff that is high up the mast as light as possible to reducing the healing moment and aid self righting protection.
I now always in couple spreaders when drugging to reduce the chance of bending them while manoeuvring , plus it helps the plastic firmer to lie better. If not doing that then some would advocate using the special below paste where aluminium meets steel.
Roly
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