I am new owner of a Ty Weekender, in process of cleaning up rigging. Shrouds were taped to spreader, removed same, looks like possible corrosion underneath, white hardened powdery material. However, spreader and tip appear in good shape after cleaning (possibly white material was not corrosion). My question is; one side had shroud seized firmly in place to spreader end with wire - could not move, the other side was loosley wired and the shroud could freely slide through end. Which is correct? Since most written material on subject I have read states to "seize" the shrouds to spreader with monel wire, I assume it is meant that they should not slide freely. Any advice? Thank you.
Chuck M.
chaspmajor@aol.com
Ty Wkndr Spreader/Shroud "seizing"?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Mike Raehl
Re: Ty Wkndr Spreader/Shroud "seizing"?
Chuck,
I had a similar experience with my Ty Weekender which I bought last November. Removed the spreader boots and found the seizing wire totally corroded away. Based on discussions with local rigger, Spartan Marine (the original Ty spar supplier)and researching this board:
The white powder is corrosion (aluminum oxide)which is the natural oxidation of aluminum and should not be a structural problem at the spreader ends. It can easily be removed with bronze wool or a green pad, do not use steel wool or anything else that will rust.
Seizing the shrouds to the spreader ends is done with a couple of wraps of stainless steel wire through the hole in the spreader end casting and around the shroud cable. The Cape Dory owners manual on this board has an illistration. The purpose is to hold the leeward shroud in the spreader end groove when and if the leeward shroud has gone slack. It should not be tight since vertical movement is expected and necessary.
Last step is to cover the spreader ends with spreader boots that can be bought from any of the marine supplers such as West Marine. Tape the ends of the boots only to allow air circulation which minimizes future corrosion.
Also look at the base of the spreaders where corrosion can weaken the spreader tubes and or the aluminum base castings (depends on your particular mast configuration). My brothers Bristol 25 lost it's mast when the spreader base gave way.
Mike Raehl
Ty Weekender #1958, Roberta Jane II
Piermont, NY on the Hudson River
mikeraehl@telocity.com
I had a similar experience with my Ty Weekender which I bought last November. Removed the spreader boots and found the seizing wire totally corroded away. Based on discussions with local rigger, Spartan Marine (the original Ty spar supplier)and researching this board:
The white powder is corrosion (aluminum oxide)which is the natural oxidation of aluminum and should not be a structural problem at the spreader ends. It can easily be removed with bronze wool or a green pad, do not use steel wool or anything else that will rust.
Seizing the shrouds to the spreader ends is done with a couple of wraps of stainless steel wire through the hole in the spreader end casting and around the shroud cable. The Cape Dory owners manual on this board has an illistration. The purpose is to hold the leeward shroud in the spreader end groove when and if the leeward shroud has gone slack. It should not be tight since vertical movement is expected and necessary.
Last step is to cover the spreader ends with spreader boots that can be bought from any of the marine supplers such as West Marine. Tape the ends of the boots only to allow air circulation which minimizes future corrosion.
Also look at the base of the spreaders where corrosion can weaken the spreader tubes and or the aluminum base castings (depends on your particular mast configuration). My brothers Bristol 25 lost it's mast when the spreader base gave way.
Mike Raehl
Ty Weekender #1958, Roberta Jane II
Piermont, NY on the Hudson River
mikeraehl@telocity.com