William_H
Well-Known Member
On some boats the stay can run freely through the end of the spreader. Others firmly attach the stay to the end of the spreader. Yes it is important (or at least best) to have the spreader angled upward to equally bisect the angle to the stay wire. This is to keep the end pressure on the spreader perfectly in column. Any deviation from perfectly in column will tend to exacerbate the off centre load by bending the spreader. A clamped stay in the tip will help ensure the pressure remains perfectly in column. Think here a heavy weight on top of a tall thin pole. If it is perfectly vertical no problems any leaning to one side begins a falling over or buckling of the pole.
However as you can imagine if you increase or decrease the tension on the stay if it can't slide it will change the angle of the spreader. So you have to release the clamp tension the stay then go up and clamp the end onto the wire.
Now we are talking best practice here more critical on larger rigs designed much closer to load limits. On a smaller boat (I think 29ft is perhaps on the limit here) the spreaders are relatively robust in mount and dimensions to be able to hold approximately correct angle and the wire can be allowed to slide as necessary when tensioning the stay. All this relates to mast head rig with chain plates abeam the mast. So no sweep back of the spreaders as in a typical fractional rig
So in answer to your question it is likely that with release of stay tension the spreader tip would rise if it has been secured or just corroded together so it could not run. It also might indicate that the base of the spreader is not rigid. ol'will
However as you can imagine if you increase or decrease the tension on the stay if it can't slide it will change the angle of the spreader. So you have to release the clamp tension the stay then go up and clamp the end onto the wire.
Now we are talking best practice here more critical on larger rigs designed much closer to load limits. On a smaller boat (I think 29ft is perhaps on the limit here) the spreaders are relatively robust in mount and dimensions to be able to hold approximately correct angle and the wire can be allowed to slide as necessary when tensioning the stay. All this relates to mast head rig with chain plates abeam the mast. So no sweep back of the spreaders as in a typical fractional rig
So in answer to your question it is likely that with release of stay tension the spreader tip would rise if it has been secured or just corroded together so it could not run. It also might indicate that the base of the spreader is not rigid. ol'will
