mast spreaders

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:53 am

when I was dropping the mast I noticed that one of the spreader mounts broke, so now i need to replace a base, or both of the spreaders and bases, I would rather not make swiss cheese out of the mast by drilling more new holes, any suggestions? I am looking ideally for a replacement base (OEM) or to have new bases made, perhaps machined out of aluminum. Does any one have bases they would like to sell? thanks

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:24 am

Both Capt Scott and I used a similar fix, rail support bases screwed to the mast. I then drilled a hole through the base of the spreader and fixed it in place with a screw and nut. Scott has picks on his website.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:29 pm

I could be missing something, but that looks like it could be welded. Grind the welds down smooth and re-drill the hole and you're good to go.

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:22 pm

I believe that it's cast aluminum, I'm not sure if it can be welded but I will start to ask around, thanks for the heads up.

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:32 pm

If it is cast aluminum I bet a small foundry could use the good one you have left to make you a new one. B, okay way back in the day, okay way back in the day in metal shop class we cast stuff like this, daily. We would take the original, make a mold of it in casting sand, melt the aluminum and pore it in the mold. Let it cool, knock the sand out of the frame file off any excess casting material and you were done. Could be worth a try.

Or get a bag of the casting sand. It is ultra fine grained, build a 2x4 frame, set it on a sheet of plywood, pack the frame with the sand, press the good spreader post in the sand, pull it carefully back out and you have your mold. Melt aluminum in a coffee can with a blowtorch, pore the aluminum in the mold and you have a new part.

Very do it yourself but it could work if done safely.

Thanks
Alan

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:14 am

Cast aluminum seems like a poor choice for this application. Somebody long ago changed mine over to a more standard setup of SS brackets. My spreaders can mover forward and back and once stood up they sweep back slightly against a stop. Looks like they were rigid originally. Wonder how this effects, if at all, the sailing characteristics of the boat.

Paul the Denverite · Post by **Paul the Denverite** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:03 pm

If it is aluminum, cast or not, you can grind the nub down to nothing, bore a hole the size of an aluminum replacement rod and have a shop weld it in. It will be at least as strong as the original.

Windward · Post by **Windward** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:13 pm

The C-26 original equipment appears to be the DH 254-2 on the following page.

http://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1 ... ts+(Round)

When I reworked the masthead and spreader brackets on Windward, I purchased two of those. They appeared an exact match for the originals, and fit perfectly.

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:29 am

Mine are the dh 252

Windward · Post by **Windward** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:51 am

I'll double check... was pretty sure mine were for 1" OD, but could be mistaken. My brain's repressed it's memories of that boat maintenance cycle.

robinsonzak · Post by **robinsonzak** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:48 pm

I used the style E base and the 2550 spreader on my C22. I could not be happier with the fit. Put the money that you would pay someone to glob some weld on there into the dwyer setup, you will not be disappointed. I used heavy stainless rivets to mount them. Just be super aware of the angles involved, try to get them straight in line with the upper shrouds.

Zak

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:00 am

This may or may not be the style of repair you are looking for but it was very easy and reasonably priced with parts off the shelf.

You can see the set screw in the base used to hold the spreader in place.
Scott

Chrysler Sailors Forum

mast spreaders

mast spreaders

Spreaders