Pulling the Spreaders off the Mast

[STATUE]

26' wooden boat with mast lying on top the length of the boat.

Mast is stainless steel.

I want to make a boat cover and getting the spreaders off would enable a real waterproof result.

Happy just to leave them on the deck with all the shroud wires still attached.

It seems to me that the spreaders are slid onto 1 foot studs and bolted through.

But , bolts out still can't slide them off - would a rigger have used a sealant?

 

[Boathook]

Stainless steel mast is a bit unusual.
What are the spreaders made off. If aluminium could have problems with corrosion. Duralac may of been used. Is there any thing looking a yellowy colour?

 

[Corribee Boy]

I took mine off once - bolts out, then the fun began. Heat, penetrating oil, more heat, swearing, stilsons, hammers, eventual success at the cost of the anodising.

They were a very tight interference fit, gummed up with Duralac and corrosion. So, should be possible, but I don't envy you the task.

 

[Poignard]

Deleted

 

[Graham_Wright]

Mine (ali to ali) have plastic insulating sleeves.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Interesting mast made of steel. Perhaps you may mean the brackets for the spreaders are made of stainless steel ?

I had similar problems. I soaked them in a bath of diesel for a couple of weeks and they came off easily. Diesel seems to work it's way everywhere.