Redo spreaders

[davidh]

I am looking for a diagram demonstrating the proper method for seizing spreaders to my wire shrouds with seizing wire. What size wire for a 34' boat with 50ft mast.

Thanks

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
You are after two things: vertical security; and lateral security. The vertical component is easiest, as you just need to keep the wires from drifting out of the spreaders on the leeward side (or being torn out in a knockdown). Many spreaders have end caps built-in for this purpose. If not, you'll need to drill a hole an inch or so inboard, to square-lash around the wire. The tougher challenge is to hold the spreader vertically, so that neither knockdown, nor a human standing on the spreader, nor downward vector loading can cause it to collapse. We use multiple double Constrictors for this, snapped very tight, stacked in a row, for this. Nylon seine twine. Note that some end caps will also compress on the wire, making the twine unnecessary. Avoid cable clamps here, at all costs.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[davidh]

I have two shrouds passing through the spreader tip. One shroud is from the deck through spreader to top of mast. 2nd shroud is from the deck through the tip to point below the upper spreader. I have two small holes just inboard of the spreader cap the shrouds are placed in.

When tying the double constrictor, should I just cross the two shrouds in a figure eight fashion with a double constrictor just above and below the spreader. Or should I have a separate double constrictor for each shroud ? I notice the spreader tends to move when the back stay (hydraulic) is on hard.

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
With two shrouds in the same hole, a very tight figure-8 lashing, top and bottom, will suffice. Or square lash from above to below. Remember, you are just trying to fix the position vertically, by generating friction.
As for the backstay's effect, we are into an utterly different set of considerations, having nothing directly to do with the seizings. If the spreaders move when you tighten the backstay, it is because the mast is bending. This is natural, so long as the movement is within the mast's and spreader's abilities to deform safely. Any details here?
Fair leads,
Brion Toss