Securing Spreader Tips
 

Ahoy Brion and Forum , there was a time back in in the ninety's when I asked Brion just how to keep the safety wired spreader tips from giving way and allowing forces like the flag halliard being tightened , from slipping the spreader tips down on the cap shrouds .

Back then Brion answered by saying , use a few wraps of "Friction Tape" and place Constrictor Knots on top of that wrapping ,,,, two side by side wraps below the spreader tip with two constrictors ,,,, and one above the tip .

Well , this system has worked very well for me since then , and now I have just done that again on my new cap shrouds .

My question for Brion , is this still his recommended method or procedure ?

Old School
 

Hi there,
And great to hear from you. Since those long ago days, many things in my life have changed, but physics isn't one of them. So we are still dealing with constraining the movement of the shrouds laterally with seizing wire through holes in the spreader tips (we use annealed SS 1x7) and then constraining the movement vertically with a series of Double Constrictors. Friction tape not needed, but great tension is. And we are likely to stack three below and two above. If you have enough grip on the wire, you should be able to stand on the spreader end, and have nothing shift.
Since the 90's, I've also made use of a Clamptite tool, with Monel strand. Works fine, but wear safety glasses. And of course some spreaders come with built-in caps to take care of security in both planes.
Fair leads,
Brion

Hi Brion.

It's my first post but I've known your excellent work for quite some time now.

I've recently stepped down the mast on my boat to give it an overall check. The shrouds had some tape at the spreaders tips, I cleaned the whole mess up and ended up not putting anything at all.
Since then I have sailed in up to 20 knots and didn't notice any movement, but should I use the method you described to "attach" the spreaders to the shrouds?

The boat is a 1982 B-Jet, a light 25ft retractable keel sloop.


Thanks,

Tiago, from Portugal

Spreaders and double constrictors
 

Hi Brion

When I tie double constrictors on the shrouds to try and fix the spreader tips vertically they rotate down the 1x19 shroud. Am I missing something?

Thanks

John

In my experience a constrictor knot, whether with marling or wire and even if snugged up with leverage from opposing pliers, gets only limited tightness. If you don't use that lovely tool Brion advocates, use a quality stainless or monel siezing wire and a good steel tool (I use the eye in my Myerchin marling spike) to make the wraps really tight. They won't move then.

G'luck

Constrictors
 

Hi again,
The Clamptite tool is indeed lovely, but 3 double constrictors, pulled utterly tight, should stay put, if they are right up next to each other. We have tested ours by jumping up and down on the spreader tips.
As for having no constraints at all at the spreaders, it is not only possible but likely that the leeward shroud will escape. Vertical fixity might be less of a problem, given stout enough support at the inboard end.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss