rigging question

[mariner2k]

While looking over some other rigging arrangements today I noticed on the mainmast of one wooden ketch, that the cap shroud did not go over the lower spreaders. Instead it went directly from the upper spreaders to a chain plate a little aft of the mast as opposed to going through the uppers and lower spreaders. This leads to the question, does that weaken the strength of the mast? Which arrangement is stronger? The intermediates did , of course go over the lower spreaders. This , by the way, is a 1930's vintage Crocker and it hasn't broken yet.

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
You see this variation rarely, and especially on older boats. The idea is that, because the uppers form only a small angle on their way past the lower spreaders, they don't add anything to mast stability, so there's no harm in skipping the connection. As long as the lead from chainplates to upper spreaders to masthead is fair, no harm done.
However, that long exposed length can wave around on the leeward side, even banging on and tangling with the intermediates. And even a small angle on the lower spreaders provides some lateral support, integrating the flow of forces more fully. And the lead aft means the mains'l contacts the upper shroud that much sooner. For these reasons and likely more -- suggestions, anyone? -- we tend to keep the connection at the lower spreader.
Question: what are the respective lengths of the spreaders on your boat?
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[mariner2k]

The Crocker belongs to a friend. While his mast was down I was inspecting his rigging and had never seen that layout before.
My uppers are 42" which give me a 13-14 degree angle at the top. My lowers are 58".
I could have gotten away with 37" on the uppers but I don't see them getting in the way at all. Mine do run over the lowers.
Thanks, Kevin

[mariner2k]

I did get to see the mast after it was raised. While this arrangement has worked well for this ketch for 80 years, the owner did say it became a little loose on the leeward side but was never really a problem. Personally I'd be more comfortable with the cap shroud going over both spreaders.