Spreader Brackets and compression sleeve?

[Peter34]

Hi all,

After doing some reading I have realized that the spreader brackets on E23/25/27's have been cause for concern. So I just took mine off to inspect. The brackets themselves actually look to be in fine shape. However, there is definitely no compression sleeve in there. There is a 9 mm diameter through bolt going through a 13 mm hole. My question is:

If I could find just the right sized aluminum tubing (13 mm OD, 10 mm ID), could I just cut to size and use existing brackets and feel good about it? I know others have fully replaced their brackets with Dwyer brackets and new spreaders. Like I said, my brackets and spreaders seem fine, just seems like I need a compression sleeve.

I've tried to attach photos, but seem to be having technical difficulties with file size . . .

 

[Mark F]

What you suggest sounds good to me - for what that's worth. Did you notice any dimpling on the mast where the pointy part of the bracket contacts the mast?

 

[Peter34]

Thanks. No I haven't noticed any dimpling, mast seems to be in good condition there. I found both aluminum and steel tubes that are sized appropriate for a compression sleeve. Steel is obviously stronger, but mixing metals, corrosion. Any thoughts on aluminum vs steel for the sleeve?

Thanks!

 

[bigd14]

If they are the original cast aluminum brackets they are prone to breaking as you have found out. There should definitely be a compression sleeve over the bolts that hold the shroud attachment/bracket in place. I recall mine was aluminum but whatever you use goop it up with Tef-Gel before installing and there should be no problems with dissimilar metals.

If you decide to replace spreaders and brackets contact Ballenger Spars. Here is the stuff they sent me.

E27 Broken Spreader Bracket

Hi Mark. Not yet. I called a couple weeks ago and everything was at the anodizers. I probably need to call again. Luckily I am on the hard and am missing the great sailing weather anyways! Doug

ericsonyachts.org

 

[Prairie Schooner]

. . .
I've tried to attach photos, but seem to be having technical difficulties with file size . . .

You've got sound advise on the compression sleeve.
Photos: The site will only accept images under a certain size. I can't find where the specifics are listed, but in my experience if I get it under 500 KB it's fine. This translates into about 1200x800 at 93 pixels/in or under.

 

[Peter34]

Thanks everyone. Here are the photos. Follow up question. Is there any way to determine if the cast aluminum mounts are still good? Or is the consensus that they were never actually strong enough to begin with?

 

[bigd14]

I would guess that most boats still have the originals, but its a just a common weak spot that has caused problems for some owners. Has the boat been in freshwater for most of its life? Those look pretty clean to me. Mine were in much worse shape. If there is no or very little corrosion on the back sides I would probably reuse them, but that would also depend on intended use- like how much stress will they be put under- heavy wind and waves sailing, or lighter duty?

 

[Kenneth K]

If I could find just the right sized aluminum tubing (13 mm OD, 10 mm ID), could I just cut to size and use existing brackets and feel good about it?

Yeah, I think so, those brackets look pretty clean to me. Look at McMaster-Carr for tubing. They'll have a variety of sizes available. If you can't find the exact size, you could drill a slightly larger hole in the mast for a larger OD, or even change the size of the bolt a little bit, and as long as you redrill all the parts to make things fit. I'd probably put a second compression sleeve & bilt on the other side of the bracket too, where now it just has a machine screw.

Definitely used to Tefgel between the dissimilar metals when you put everything back together!

 

[Peter34]

Yeah, I think so, those brackets look pretty clean to me. Look at McMaster-Carr for tubing. They'll have a variety of sizes available. If you can't find the exact size, you could drill a slightly larger hole in the mast for a larger OD, or even change the size of the bolt a little bit, and as long as you redrill all the parts to make things fit. I'd probably put a second compression sleeve & bilt on the other side of the bracket too, where now it just has a machine screw.

Definitely used to Tefgel between the dissimilar metals when you put everything back together!

So I'm thinking about putting another compression sleeve on the top (current one will be on the bottom where there is already a 1/2 hole. Do I need to worry about enlarging the current tapped hole on the superior aspect to 1/2" weakening the mast at all? Negligible in terms of the circumference of the mast itself, but does seem like sort of a critical point structurally speaking.

 

[Kenneth K]

Do I need to worry about enlarging the current tapped hole on the superior aspect to 1/2" weakening the mast at all?

No, I don't think so:
- masts have many holes drilled in them (I drilled and tapped about 24 holes in the front of mine when adding a spinnaker pole track),
- the spreader plates you'll be bolting on will add rigidity to that area,
- the spreaders themselves keep that part of the mast stationary so it's not subject any sideways bending,
- large holes drilled in the front or back sides of the mast can weaken it in terms of fore and aft bending, but the holes you're drilling, along the neutral axis, will have very little effect.