Do I need the lower shrouds?

[Neil Gordon]

I'm pondering whether I'll take the mast down or leave it up for the winter. One consideration is the difficulty of shrink wrapping around the shrouds. If I took off the lowers, I'd have a much easier time. Naturally, I'm not interested in losing the rig over the winter <g>, so I don't know if I'm seriously considering this or not. But I'm curious what the feedback will be.

Any thoughts?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[matt cawthorne]

Neil,
I would recommend against storing the boat without the lowers attached.
The upper shrouds go nearly straight up from the deck to the spreaders. The lateral loads from the upper shrouds that come from the top of the mast go to the spreaders because the vertical portion of the upper shrouds can not take a lateral load. The lateral loads from the spreaders in turn get dumped into the lower shrouds. If you take off the lower shrouds you will have very little support of any kind in the lateral direction.
This became aparent to me one time when I was helping my brother step his mast on a windy day. The yard put the mast up with the crane and we hooked up the uppers. I then went up the mast to check on the position of the spreader before we hooked up the lowers. I could feel the whole mast wobbling back and fourth in a rapid motion.
I have never seen a boat stored without the lowers attached. Clever thought though.

Matt

I'm pondering whether I'll take the mast down or leave it up for the winter. One consideration is the difficulty of shrink wrapping around the shrouds. If I took off the lowers, I'd have a much easier time. Naturally, I'm not interested in losing the rig over the winter <g>, so I don't know if I'm seriously considering this or not. But I'm curious what the feedback will be.

Any thoughts?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

mcawthor@bellatlantic.net

[Don S.]

Neil,
The loads on the spars and the hull are a lot greater when the boat's out of the water. Ordinarily the fact the boat's floating absorbs almost all the stress -- on the hard's another thing entirely. Be sure to take some tension off the rigging or you'll have stress cracks all over the place and DON"T REMOVE THE LOWERS.

Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189

Neil,
I would recommend against storing the boat without the lowers attached.
The upper shrouds go nearly straight up from the deck to the spreaders. The lateral loads from the upper shrouds that come from the top of the mast go to the spreaders because the vertical portion of the upper shrouds can not take a lateral load. The lateral loads from the spreaders in turn get dumped into the lower shrouds. If you take off the lower shrouds you will have very little support of any kind in the lateral direction.
This became aparent to me one time when I was helping my brother step his mast on a windy day. The yard put the mast up with the crane and we hooked up the uppers. I then went up the mast to check on the position of the spreader before we hooked up the lowers. I could feel the whole mast wobbling back and fourth in a rapid motion.
I have never seen a boat stored without the lowers attached. Clever thought though.

Matt

I'm pondering whether I'll take the mast down or leave it up for the winter. One consideration is the difficulty of shrink wrapping around the shrouds. If I took off the lowers, I'd have a much easier time. Naturally, I'm not interested in losing the rig over the winter <g>, so I don't know if I'm seriously considering this or not. But I'm curious what the feedback will be.

Any thoughts?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

don@cliggott.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

Neil,

Also, winter storms can pack very strong winds. So following Don's advice is a good idea.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Neil,
The loads on the spars and the hull are a lot greater when the boat's out of the water. Ordinarily the fact the boat's floating absorbs almost all the stress -- on the hard's another thing entirely. Be sure to take some tension off the rigging or you'll have stress cracks all over the place and DON"T REMOVE THE LOWERS.

Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189

Neil,
I would recommend against storing the boat without the lowers attached.
The upper shrouds go nearly straight up from the deck to the spreaders. The lateral loads from the upper shrouds that come from the top of the mast go to the spreaders because the vertical portion of the upper shrouds can not take a lateral load. The lateral loads from the spreaders in turn get dumped into the lower shrouds. If you take off the lower shrouds you will have very little support of any kind in the lateral direction.
This became aparent to me one time when I was helping my brother step his mast on a windy day. The yard put the mast up with the crane and we hooked up the uppers. I then went up the mast to check on the position of the spreader before we hooked up the lowers. I could feel the whole mast wobbling back and fourth in a rapid motion.
I have never seen a boat stored without the lowers attached. Clever thought though.

Matt

I'm pondering whether I'll take the mast down or leave it up for the winter. One consideration is the difficulty of shrink wrapping around the shrouds. If I took off the lowers, I'd have a much easier time. Naturally, I'm not interested in losing the rig over the winter <g>, so I don't know if I'm seriously considering this or not. But I'm curious what the feedback will be.

Any thoughts?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

catherine_monaghan@merck.com