Stepping the mast - Spreader End Plug Q..

[flyingscampi]

I've just had new standing rigging made up for my double spreader Selden mast.

I've read the Selden manual but I'm not sure I understand how the spreader end plugs should be tightened on the shrouds.

Do I fully tighten the end plug clamps on the shrouds before the mast is stepped, then simply tension the shrouds and stays?

Or would I need to climb the mast after the stepping and tensioning to loosen the spreader clamps and adjust the spreader angle?

The Selden manual mentions 6 degrees for the spreader angle - what's the easiest way of measuring this?

Or am I just being too scientific! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[sailorman]

use a halliard, lock it off @ after holding the end on the spreader root. swing this end out & adjust the spreader end to this length @ the junction with the cap shroud & lock-off the spreader end cap

 

[savageseadog]

Got the same basic type of mast. Suggest you do a basic tension of the rig, not too tight but enough to hold it up. Go up the mast and pull the spreaders up so they bisect the angle at the tip plus a bit more. When you finally tighten the shrouds will stretch and the spreader will pull down a little. Sounds difficult but is quite easy to sight from a distance away.

 

[sailorman]

i have a double spreader rig set-up on the advise of a rigger as stated in my previous post

 

[VicMallows]

I also want to replace rigging this year, but my concern is how to free/release the spreader end clamps. When I last had the mast down about 10 years ago the end clamps seemed to be seized solidly to the spreaders.

The only solution I can think of is to cut the rigging wire either side of the clamp and work the strands out individually. Then thread the the new wire through before terminating at one of the ends. Since the 'clamping' might no longer function, maybe then use 'U'-clamps above and below on the wire?

Any riggers got better solutions, please?

Vic

 

[sailorman]

replace the spreader ends

 

[VicMallows]

If I could get the ends out of the spreaders, I wouldn't have a problem! ?


Vic

 

[sailorman]

when we rerigged we had new ends they could be drilled out

 

[spinny]

Sometimes the ss threaded machine screw in the spreader end caps in the above photo can become so seized up it's not worth wasting time trying to un-seize them. You could spend hours on it and still no joy. If you're changing your standing rigging and the spreader end caps are seized to the wire you might as well get new end caps at the same time, they won't add that much to the bill. They should come out of the end of the spreaders still attached to the shrouds (with the mast un-stepped of course)

 

[flyingscampi]

Just to check I understand correctly, you're saying run a line (or halyard) from the masthead and mark it at the inner end of the spreader.

Then swing the line out to the end of the spreader and raise the spreader end until it's level with the mark on the line.

Sounds simple!

 

[flyingscampi]

Mine were held in by a couple of clevis pins and just popped out, lucky me!

I've had to replace one of the plugs as it got damaged at the riggers, it's split on the inner end.

I found them here