I noticed my starboard upper shroud was unusuallly loose on port tack last Friday night beer can race and that the port spreader was pointing a few extra degrees aft. When we got back to the dock it was obvious that the port spreader was loose at the mast as it could be moved back and forth a few degrees by shaking the upper shroud. Dodged a bullet I guess.
After going up the mast I found that the port side spreader bracket had cut through the aft edge of the spreader and the retaining bolt was broken. Further inspection of the spreader brackets on the mast showed a small crack forming at the leading edge of where the 'tang' meets the bracket base. I guess it's time to do the spreader through bar fix. Today drilled out the rivets and removed the spreader brackets to check the condition of the mast under the brackets. Mostly good, although there appears to be a small crack between the forward 3 holes on the port side. Thanks rob for the tips on the ladder and the punch for the rivets.
I'm curious about other's experience with the Annapolis kit vs. the hall spars kit as it looks like will need to replace at least one spreader. The Annapolis kit uses the OEM spreaders and the hall kit comes with new spreaders. Neither one is in stock and I'm still waiting to hear how long it will take for the them to have a kit made. Pulling my mast is a ridiculously expensive thing to do here in Honolulu and I had planned to do it at my next haul out next year. Has anyone had cracks visible and not welded them? How much trouble am i asking for if I install the hall kit without pulling the mast and reevaluate the condition of the cracks when I pull the mast next year?
Has anyone done the hall spars kit without pulling their mast?
I'll try to add some photos later.
Thanks
Erik
#185 Mango Madness