International Folkboat Spreader Replacement

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FolkboatSkipper

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Hi All,

I need to replace the spreaders and spreader sockets on my 1977 International Folkboat, as they are slightly damaged and not fixed fore/aft.

Does anyone know the correct angle they should be swept back and fixed and where could get new spreaders? Can I simply buy ones of the same length and with the same properties?

Thanks in advance for the helpful responses!
 
My download PDF file won,t download so try

Alan Macklin at St Mawes Sailing club who runs the IF Boat association, his email is on the website.

International Folkboats (IF-Boats) – St Mawes Sailing Club

IF Boat.se. The Swedish IF Boat owners association and forum will also have the details. I was looking at them yesterday.

In English

MArieholm International Folkboat site on Facebook may be the quickest result but will all give you the same source of information. Do you know if it is a Proctor or maybe Seldon mast. If it is yellow it will be original!

Marieholm International Folkboat & M26 Owners Group

They still make them new here and are good for parts, accessories and advice.

Thuishaven | IF-Boat New Edition

Chris
 
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Folkboats UK should be able to help, or the association should be able to guide you.
Is it possible to use the one's that you have as a template? I did note that they're a bit compromised!
Good luck.
By the way Zagato, original isn't yellow; it's wooden. (Tried to add sniffily, without using the actual word!) ;)
 
I was presuming it was an International Folkboat as per the title of the thread Jim, not a Nordic Folkboat ;)

IF-boat - Wikipedia

Known as an IF Boat in Europe and International Folboat in the US etc. The Nordic Folboat and International Folkboat were both designed by Tord Sunden of course... in Tord Sunden own words the International Folkboat was an improvement on his original creation. "She was a lucky strike, the International Folkboat proved to exceed the wooden Folkboat in performance, she is faster, stiffer, more spacious and in my eye more beautiful" I would agree of course ;) The Nordic Folkboat is drop dead gorgeous however with its very low coachroof if you can call it that and the clinker style hull is breathtaking of course...
 
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Oh yes... just checked mine, they move :oops: Buck is on the job, didn,t realise what the OP was asking!

This is probably the same info as Bucks download but I have just reached across to grab a 'Noth Sails One Design IF Boat Tuning guide 2001' which I have never looked at as I struggle to point Boats where I want them to go let alone race!

Says under Spreader Sweep,

According to the class rule the spreaders has to be able to move for and aft in the spreader brackets. Reducing the aft movement of the spreaders creates a better support for the mast. Using a string, tie the shrouds to pull the spreaders back as far as they will go. Then measure 280mm from the string to the aft face of the mast to get the recommended sweep".

When I took my mast down I just took it down, well it kind of crashed down, just replaced the broken mast base today, I digress Ahem! I hope the spreaders will sort theelves out when I put it all back up! I marked the shrouds...
 
As far as I can make out the IF has a typical fractional rig. This means the chain plates a re fairly well aft of abeam the mast. Now the spreaders have 2 jobs to do.
Firstly as with all spreaders they increase the angle of approach of the shroud to the upper part of the mast so providing better support sideways for the top of the mast. The actual top of the mast is unstayed. The spreaders will also give some support sideways to the middle of the mast. This function requires that the spreader be slightly angled upwards to bisect the angle it makes with the stay. This gives all pressure on the spreader precisely in column. In practice with robust spreaders this is not so critical.
However second role in a typical fractional rig the spreaders not only sweep aft to meet the shrouds also coming a little aft but in fact are forced even further aft at the tip than the straight line of the shroud would indicate. This pressure at the tip on the shroud translates to push forward to the middle of the mast. This push forward of the middle of the mast is counteracted by the pull aft of the intermediate stays (shrouds).
OK so that excessive sweep of the spreaders dictates that the spreaders be robust in the horizontal plane and be firmly mounted so they can not swing forward.
So I am a bit confused by the statements of zagato re limiting the aft movement. I would think it vital you limit the froward movement if indeed the rig is as I have guessed.
I would think freedom of swing fore and aft would be of not point at all. All that having never seen an IF ol'will
 
William_H said:
As far as I can make out the IF has a typical fractional rig. This means the chain plates a re fairly well aft of abeam the mast. Now the spreaders have 2 jobs to do.
Firstly as with all spreaders they increase the angle of approach of the shroud to the upper part of the mast so providing better support sideways for the top of the mast. The actual top of the mast is unstayed. The spreaders will also give some support sideways to the middle of the mast. This function requires that the spreader be slightly angled upwards to bisect the angle it makes with the stay. This gives all pressure on the spreader precisely in column. In practice with robust spreaders this is not so critical.
However second role in a typical fractional rig the spreaders not only sweep aft to meet the shrouds also coming a little aft but in fact are forced even further aft at the tip than the straight line of the shroud would indicate. This pressure at the tip on the shroud translates to push forward to the middle of the mast. This push forward of the middle of the mast is counteracted by the pull aft of the intermediate stays (shrouds).
OK so that excessive sweep of the spreaders dictates that the spreaders be robust in the horizontal plane and be firmly mounted so they can not swing forward.
So I am a bit confused by the statements of zagato re limiting the aft movement. I would think it vital you limit the froward movement if indeed the rig is as I have guessed.
I would think freedom of swing fore and aft would be of not point at all. All that having never seen an IF ol'will
Click to expand...

I have looked at a drawing of the rig and been outside to look at the spreaders and you are right the spreader tips are about a foot aft of the mast. The spreaders move forward and back freely when the shrouds are loose being held to the mast with two pins, the forward one in a hole fixing it in place the other aft in a slot allowing the forward and back moevement. I think when the North Sail sail trim guide says tie the spreaders back I think this maybe temporarily to get the right angle until the shrouds are fixed in position! No idea I am afraid. looking at it once the mast is up, the shrouds are fixed and the forestay fixed I don,t need to do anything but to fix the back stay (which adjusts to bend the mast back for racing). I suppose the spreader being able to move forward and back helps for rig adjustment, once the shrouds etc are tight they won,t move!

Fortunately the IF Boat doesn't lack in information and support being widespread across the world with 4000 being built, more than the Nordic Folkboat apparently. They just don,t seem to be that well known in the U.K., pricey I believe similar to SAABs of the time, we had the Contessa 26 about 300 of those were made! They are still made and the racing and cruising scene is strong. I asked if people put a sealing strip on their locker tops... a guy said not usually but having checked you can, it Is not against the racing rules. :oops:
 
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William_H said:
The actual top of the mast is unstayed.
Click to expand...
This is incorrect I believe Ol'Will, as the top of the mast is stayed by Diamond's. EDIT: Apologies, I'm referring to a Nordic, not an IF, so am happy to admit to my error!
On my own Folkboat, I've upper & lower shrouds, without spreader's, but with the Diamond's attached to the hounds, along with the upper shrouds.
1602059890489.png
This being the image from a Nordic, which is basically my own set-up.
 
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The spreaders are designed to pivot. The slot limits the range. The range is in the class rules. the rules also allow fixed angle. It allows the end of the spreader to follow the mast head with varying amounts of mast bend. It's a racing thing which is why all the cruising boats you see don't have it.
 
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