Anyone know the width of the spreaders on a 1985 32-3 with Kenyon mast?

[Kenneth K]

Anyone know the width of the spreaders on a 1985 32-3 with Kenyon mast? I'm headed up to Fisheries Supply tomorrow while up in Seattle and I was hoping to pick up some leather spreader boots. They carry 6.75" and 9.5" diameter spreader boots, but I can't get out to my boat to measure before heading up that way.

 

[bgary]

I checked my notebook. I don't have that measurement. Sorry!

 

[Marlin Prowell]

See this post by Guy Stevens Spreader boots are bad, don't use them, but if you must:. After reading that post, I chose to put these chafe protectors around the shrouds on top of each spreader. A little unconventional, but has worked for me.

 

[Dave G.]

Look around here you may find info.

Rig-Rite Inc. - Masts, Booms, Spars, Rigging, and Hardware for Sailboats.

www.rigrite.com

 

[Frank Langer]

See this post by Guy Stevens Spreader boots are bad, don't use them, but if you must:. After reading that post, I chose to put these chafe protectors around the shrouds on top of each spreader. A little unconventional, but has worked for me.

Marlin,
In talking with the pro's, sail makers love spreader boots because they protect the sails, but riggers hate them because they can minimize oxygen getting to the shrouds there and they can capture moisture against the shrouds and spreader.
A good option, in my opinion, is a spreader boot installed with an opening at the top and bottom as it slips over the spreader, and fastened in place with black UV resistant zip ties-- electrical tape and the kind that sticks to itself both come loose over time. The openings allows rain to wash through regularly. It's also helpful to check the wires holding the shroud to the spreader regularly, and apply grease periodically.
Just my experience, over many years...
Frank

 

[Kenneth K]

See this post by Guy Stevens Spreader boots are bad, don't use them, but if you must:. After reading that post, I chose to put these chafe protectors around the shrouds on top of each spreader. A little unconventional, but has worked for me.

Thanks for the post. You talked me out of using leather.

I did buy a set of these:


for the upper spreader. They'll work there because only the single, upper shroud goes through that spreader. But, what did you do at the lower spreader, where the spreader tip holds 2 shrouds? My shrouds are too close together to put a wheel on each one, and too far apart for the hub to go around both.

 

[Marlin Prowell]

Yes, I have the same issue on the 34. I also have two shrouds that pass through the lower spreader. I used another set of these chafe guards on the lower shrouds, one each side. I used a drill bit as a makeshift router and elongated the hole that is in the center of the chafe guard until it would fit around both shrouds. Then for an extra measure, used zip ties around the narrow spokes to make sure it held together. I did this two years ago when I got a new genoa and it has been the right solution for me,

The chafe guards are large enough that the entire spreader tip is protected from any contact with the sail.

 

[Kenneth K]

I used a drill bit as a makeshift router and elongated the hole that is in the center of the chafe guard until it would fit around both shrouds.

Wait, did you drill a bigger 'round' hole so it rotates around both shrouds, or a 'slot' so it sits stationary around them? I suppose, if stationary, the sail would still slip past without tugging too hard on the wheel?

 

[Marlin Prowell]

I made an elongated slot. I drilled several holes in a row, and a Dremel would be the right tool to finish shaping the oblong slot. The wheel does not rotate and the sail slides past just fine. There’s not much surface area to the side of the wheel to create a problem.

When thinking about switching out the old spreader caps, I looked to see what other sailboats used on their spreader ends. Perhaps a quarter of the sailboats did not have any spreader cap at all, which is what Guy Stevens suggests. I did inspect the seizing wire on my spreader tips and none of them had any exposed wire ends. The wheels are just extra protection but not required.

 

[Kenneth K]

I made an elongated slot.

Ok, Great ideas! Thank you.