advice on broken spreader base

[Bob Loewenstein]

During our last cruise we had an adventure rafted up with another reader and contributor to this bboard. The 20-25 West winds that were expected to show up during the evening turned out to be 30-35 North winds. No protection to the north and we bounced around alot. During the bounces, our spreader hit our friend's shroud resulting in the spreader mount that attaches the spreader to the mast breaking and all screws popping out. Actually found one on the bridge deck.

Now it's time to fix things. I have a new spreader base from Rig-Rite and would like some advice from anyone on fixing things WITHOUT taking the mast down. Rig-Rite tells me the 6 screw holes may not line up with the existing ones because no jig was used in the drilling of these holes. I also have to drill the hole for the spreader pin.

I've had lots of experience up the mast, but always with intact shrouds and stays. I plan to slightly loosen the shroud so I can remove the spreader for marking the new hole, attaching the new base, and then attaching the spreader to that. I'll probably use a spare halyard as a backup shroud.

I'll have to either helicoil the old threads in the mast (assuming the holes line up) or redrill and tap to a larger size. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Bob
Magdalena
CD32



rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu

[Mike Carroll]

Pretty much broke the starboard one on my 33 in the exact same way (rafted). The replacement mount holes lined up just fine, but I had to go to a bigger screw (5/16 vs 1/4??) on the ones that ripped out.
Was not hard since the aluminum taps so easy. Must also enlarge the holes in the mount. I did it aloft, making sure to always keep to the starboard side of the mast. Good luck.

During our last cruise we had an adventure rafted up with another reader and contributor to this bboard. The 20-25 West winds that were expected to show up during the evening turned out to be 30-35 North winds. No protection to the north and we bounced around alot. During the bounces, our spreader hit our friend's shroud resulting in the spreader mount that attaches the spreader to the mast breaking and all screws popping out. Actually found one on the bridge deck.

Now it's time to fix things. I have a new spreader base from Rig-Rite and would like some advice from anyone on fixing things WITHOUT taking the mast down. Rig-Rite tells me the 6 screw holes may not line up with the existing ones because no jig was used in the drilling of these holes. I also have to drill the hole for the spreader pin.

I've had lots of experience up the mast, but always with intact shrouds and stays. I plan to slightly loosen the shroud so I can remove the spreader for marking the new hole, attaching the new base, and then attaching the spreader to that. I'll probably use a spare halyard as a backup shroud.

I'll have to either helicoil the old threads in the mast (assuming the holes line up) or redrill and tap to a larger size. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Bob
Magdalena
CD32

mcarroll51@aol.com