Rigging

[poter]

Are there any experts on here? I am getting very frustrated with the conflicting information here in France, Its also costing a small fortune...

I have a Dufour 35 with a single mast & single set of spreaders, the spreaders are causing a problem, in that the new SS shrouds which were made in UK have been commented on by the French (so called rigging expert) rigger, that the copper ferruls should not be used on the rigging. These ferruls go above the spreaders to, I assume pull them down & hold the spreaders in place, I might add that the spreaders on this particular boat twist on a single thru the mast pin, this also caused a problem in that the spreaders were not linning up square & the shroud was bending above the spreader, ok with only a little tension on it!

I am suitably frustrated with all the **** info that I am getting here, does anyone have a comment on this. I might add that the old rigging was on there for some 15 years with the same set up & worked perfectly.

Help!!!!

 

[Seajet]

Poter,

hard to understand your set-up exactly, but I'd want stainless on stainless.

Try Martin at Sailspar, very helpful; 01206 511273

No connection.

 

[30boat]

A copper ferrule in contact with an aluminium spreader is a recipe for galvanic corrosion.I'd rather have a stainless stell fitting there.However if the same setup worked for years without problems I don't see why you'd start having them now.

 

[StephenW]

Similar Experience

Peter
Some years ago we had a similar experience with riggers from a reputable yard who should have known better.

Copper (or similar) ferrules on 7mm stainless. They had been fitted above the spreaders. Subsequent discussions indicated they should have been located below the spreaders to prevent them dropping in the event of rigging slackening. The yard then re-fitted them in the correct location. No problem in 10 years!

 

[Tranona]

Would seem more logical to have the ferrules under the spreaders to stop them from drooping. On my boat I achieve that by using bulldog clamps and setting the spreaders so that they more nearly bisect the angle of the shrouds. Don't think copper and stainless is a big problem, but might make sense to isolate them from the aluminium of the spreaders if there is not a plastic end fitting.

 

[VicS]

Copper ferrules are normal on stainless rigging..

In contact with aluminium spreaders not so wise perhaps but provided you keep the spreaders out of the water maybe not a major problem. Not even as bad as stainless steel in contact with aluminium!

Modern spreader ends have provision to clamp them to the shrouds dont they.

I solved spreader droop a slightly different way:

 

[William_H]

Cap shrouds and spreaders

As said if you insulate the copper ferule from the Ali spreader should be no problem.
On smaller boats the spreader is angled by the base of the spreader to hopefully a few degrees above horizontal. This is to keep the tension of the spreader in perfect column. If the load was not exactly in lije with the spreader there could be a force pushing the tip up or down the further out of line the more liable to failure. It is common as said to clamp the tip on the stay or apparently in your case to fit a ferule to stop the tip moving up? I would suggest it also should have a clamp to stop the spreader tip moving down.
You have to clamp the tip in place after tensioning the shroud. good luck olewill

 

[Norman_E]

Peter
Some years ago we had a similar experience with riggers from a reputable yard who should have known better.

Copper (or similar) ferrules on 7mm stainless. They had been fitted above the spreaders. Subsequent discussions indicated they should have been located below the spreaders to prevent them dropping in the event of rigging slackening. The yard then re-fitted them in the correct location. No problem in 10 years!

That is exactly what I thought. The vital thing is to stop the spreaders going below horizontal, and usually to keep them angled slightly upwards, ideally bisecting the angle between the upper and lower sections of the cap shrouds. I cannot see the point of having them above the spreaders.

 

[Tomahawk]

I cannot see the point of having them above the spreaders.

without seeing a picture...
It could be that the ferrules are in the right place... and the spreaders are at fault being too low???

 

[poter]

rigging

Thanks all, I think, I hope I have solved all the problems now. I am sure that the Ferrules go under the spreaders. Mast up tomorrow...

 

[dgadee]

Thanks all, I think, I hope I have solved all the problems now. I am sure that the Ferrules go under the spreaders. Mast up tomorrow...

Yes, under the spreaders. I had similar query and was told you should be able to stand on the spreaders. Because there is no means of fixing stays to end of my spreaders I used (told to do so by manufacturer) small clips.