J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Annapolis Rigging Spreader Bar Kit

Corey Butlin has experience in the class, but don't worry Jay Herman's Annapolis Rigging is doing fine 20+ years later. He sleeved my boom for the second time last winter and re-knurled my old winches. Likewise Bob Muller with six or seven J/30s including Bebop in his yard this winter. He may know as much about repairing our boats as anyone excepting maybe Bill K himself.

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

Erik,

Have you considered constructing a gin pole that would allow you to pull the mast? I know John McArthur used one for J/30 Smiles when he trailered his boat. It may save you some $ over having the rig pulled with a crane. You'll need a few people to help pull the rig, but it will then allow you to more easily fix everything you want.

I just bought the last kit that Annapolis Rigging has, FYI.

I asked Jay to let us know what it would take to make more. Perhaps a group order next time. I'll update this thread when he gets back to me.