Seal 22 - loose spreader end, ?Ancient Proctor Mast

[Trevelyan]

Hi all,
I have a very loose spreader end on my Seal, will drop the mast ASAP to see what is going on.
A few daft questions....
-Should the spreader ends run free on the shrouds, or should they be clamped to the wire?
-Should the spreaders be horizontal, or should they be angled up slightly/by some angle?
-If I find something is broken, does anyone know if parts are still available?

Thanks for any pointers
Trev

 

[VicS]

Older practice was for the wire to run free in the spreader ends but modern practice is to clamp them

Older rigs tended to have the spreaders horizontal but ideally they should be inclined to bisect the angle the shroud makes over them. They should definitely not droop

 

[Trevelyan]

Just to add - spreaders are swept back (i.e. no backstay to rig)

 

[VicS]

Just to add - spreaders are swept back (i.e. no backstay to rig)

Possibly find that they are shorter than they would be if square and as a result not a massive deflection in the shrouds


When I find it I'll post a picture to show how I keep my spreaders at the right angle ( also swept back but I have backstays as well!)


The perspective makes them look more inclined than they really are

 

[Trevelyan]

Thanks VicS, the ends running free sits well with the boat being 40 years old. From squinting at deck level, it looks like there is some kind of 'hook' bracket at the end of the spreader that keeps the wire captive, but at the moment the hook bracket is loose. I am hoping it will be straightforward...