Securing Spreader Tips

[Brion Toss]

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

[pjesus]

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