Cap shroud question

[mariner2k]

I've noticed on some rigs with double spreaders the cap shroud leads through the upper spreader but bypasses the lower spreader. By not going through the lower spreader does this weaken the rig?

[Ian McColgin]

It will be interesting to compare remarks here with those in the WoodenBoat Forum.

[mariner2k]

It's nice to have these resources. Nothing more fun than learning. Never get tired of it.

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
This is a relatively rare configuration, though standard, unfortunately, on Bristol Channel Cutters. The original rig there was single-spreader, with aft-led intermediates. The builder then went to double spreaders, but left the intermediates where they were. Sheesh. This means that the mast needs to be larger and heavier than it would otherwise, in addition to the other downsides of aft-led intermediates. It works, obviously, but at a cost.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[mariner2k]

Just for clarification purposes.


On one particular boat(an old Crocker ketch),the caps drape over the uppers,angled slightly aft, then directly to the chainplates. The intermediates start at the uppers and follow over the lower spreaders to a chainplate. Also two fore and aft lowers directly two chainplates. Added to those are a couple of runners appropriately located. I was surprised to see the length of the run from the uppers to a chainplate.

I posted this on wooden boat under "Mast Riigging question". Got some really good responses.

After seeing it on this boat, I noticed it on a couple others. All older wooden boats.

http://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboa...tch-comes-home

[mariner2k]

Just for clarification purposes.


On one particular boat(an old Crocker ketch),the caps drape over the uppers,angled slightly aft, then directly to the chainplates. The intermediates start at the uppers and follow over the lower spreaders to a chainplate. Also two fore and aft lowers directly two chainplates. Added to those are a couple of runners appropriately located. I was surprised to see the length of the run from the uppers to a chainplate.

I posted this on wooden boat under "Mast Riigging question". Got some really good responses.

After seeing it on this boat, I noticed it on a couple others. All older wooden boats.

http://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboa...tch-comes-home

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
Now those rigs are an interesting historical sidenote, in that they skipped the lower spreaders with the uppers, not the intermediates. As with the BCC's this worked... sort of. The masts lost a very small amount of stability at the lower spreaders, as there was zero compression from the uppers there; that was only a small issue though. The real problem was that the slight aft lead did nothing for fore-and-aft staying, but robbed lateral staying potential. It also, as with aft-led intermediates, put a premature obstacle in the way of the mains'l when off the wind.So while it was a clever configuration, it was really part of the transition to the contemporary Bermudian rig.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[mariner2k]

I had the same thought on the aft led stays. Is there any advantage to aft led stays at all? Does it depend on the degree?I see that somewhat frequently as well as pivoting spreaders.

[mariner2k]

Had to delete

[mariner2k]

After posting this I googled "aft lead spreaders". It brings me to a lot of posts on this forum. You have covered it in pretty nice detail. Back when we were much younger.