BROKEN SPREADER

[AL]

WAS RACING LAST SUNDAY ON LAKE MICHIGAN IN MY TYPHOON DAYSAILER-HULL #6. JUST FINISHED FIRST THREE LEGS, HAD DROPPED THE ASYMETRICAL SPINNAKER, UNFURLED THE HEADSAIL AND BEATING UP TO WINDWARD MARK ON PORT TACK, WHEN---THE PORT SPREADER SNAPPED. MAST CURVED TO STARBOARD. WE TACKED, ABLE TO SAIL ON STARBOARD BACK TO PIERHEAD, DROPPED THE SAILS, AND MOTORED IN. ACTUALLY WE WERE FIRST ONES BACK TO DOCK.

ANY IDEAS ON WHY THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED. DOES NOT APPEAR ANY LINES WERE FOULED. WIND WAS ABOUT 20 KNOTS, 4-5 FOOT WAVES.

I NOW HAVE TWO NEW ANODIZED SPREADERS

[John D.]

Al, I have no idea what happened. Metal fatigue? Improper shroud tension? Did you looh at the break point for failure? Do you tie a noose under the spreaders when raising or lowering your mast and jarred the attachment to the mast? Did anything ding the metal in the yard or while stepping your mast. I guess it's all water under the bridge now that you have new spreaders.
What I would like to know is where did you buy your spreaders?
Good sailing, John Dunn



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