Shroud load

[Helios]

Hi All...

I read in Brian's book that when there is a sailboat with a two spreader rig, the lowers carry 40% of the load while the intermediates and uppers each carry about 30%. Simple enough.

I am in the process of retrofitting a mast on to my boat. The mast is from an Evelyn 32 and its a Kenyon 3656 section. It has T Ball openings, and I noticed that the opening at the top is larger than the opening in the middle, meaning the shroud for the upper is heavier than the intermediate.

Also, as I think about it, it seems that the mast would exert more force a the top because the lever is longer at this point. That in turn would seem to mean stronger shrouds for the upper and intermediates, as opposed to the lowers.

Any ideas on this?

Thanks...

[benz]

Do you not have double lowers, which would each take 1/2 of the 40%?