No replacement spreader end cap...is it something I can make myself?

[Lakesailor]

Foul libel. And conspicuously mistaken, since I'm a sailboat-owner with shrouds that are disconnected from the spreaders. Or is it the habit of trolls, asking questions to which they actually want answers? I thought it was their purposeless business to twist would-be online helpers/acquaintances in argumentative circles. The way I'm fixing my boat may be unorthodox, or frankly barmy, but if I ask a question here, I genuinely welcome any genuine replies. May we proceed?

Is there some kind of one-type-fits-all spreader-end which is widely available and will solve my problem? Here's a picture of the broken bit, in situ:

View attachment 42486

Oh Jesus. haven't you heard of Araldite? Just make sure it's aligned correctly before you let it set.

 

[Greenheart]

Araldite...Just make sure it's aligned correctly before you let it set.

Ah. You mean, use the old broken bit, with a powerful adhesive to keep it in the spreader-end? Yup, that could work. I'll try it, if the fun with clay & epoxy doesn't work.

 

[Seajet]

Dan,

you're sot of right re vertical movement, but there's very little; I just wirelock the spreader ends on and it's stould me in good stead for 36 years.

I do use plastic ' sail savers ' taped onto the spreader ends to protect the headsails though.

 

[Skippy36]

Hi Seajet,
I am restoring an Anderson 22. One of the spreaders is broken at the mast - that should be easily enough replaced, but I can't find the alloy spreader ends anywhere. The spreaders on mine, and possibly all A22's, are just approx 1" circular aluminium tubing, any idea where replacement spreader ends can be got?

 

[DinghyMan]

If you can't get any drop me a drawing and I'll turn you some

 

[Skippy36]

Thanks DinghyMan I may well do.

 

[Greenheart]

In case anyone was wondering, here's one of my home-made spreader end caps, another in the spreader-end, plus one of the hefty 10mm dia stainless bolts I made them from:

View attachment 43873

I realise they'll want some rounding-off with the grinder before the sail rubs past those sharp square edges, but I'm pretty pleased with those. Much stronger than I needed them to be, and made with relative ease. It was the thought-process, and finding a suitable bit of metal to start with, which took longest.

 

[Seajet]

Hi Seajet,
I am restoring an Anderson 22. One of the spreaders is broken at the mast - that should be easily enough replaced, but I can't find the alloy spreader ends anywhere. The spreaders on mine, and possibly all A22's, are just approx 1" circular aluminium tubing, any idea where replacement spreader ends can be got?

Hi Skippy,

as your spreaders are tubular rather than flat plates you probably have a Bowman 3827 rig, these were kit built and work very well, mine is one.

I'm afraid Bowman are long gone, so getting someone to turn an end plug would be best bet, tufnol would be nice but it's pricey & tricky to source, so alloy or wood should do, there are no really great loads on the spreader ends even in a strong blow.

As mentioned I then wirelock the cap shroud in the vertical groove of the spreader end, putting a plastic ' sailsaver ' on top - secured with tape as the sliding plastic lugs seem unreliable.

You could always join our happy band and get a lot more info !

 

[DinghyMan]

Tufnol is readily available, e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARP-SRBF...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5408246882

Not cheap, but available, probably be easier using acetal/delrin or similar though, although at the above prices it would be cheaper to use stainless...

 

[Skippy36]

Thanks Seajet,
That's probably what i'll end up doing. I keep meaning to join but can't find my sterling cheque book! must get a PO next time i'm out of euroland.

 

[Skippy36]

Thanks Dinghyman,
Not cheap but no doubt the right sort of stuff.