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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Spreader sockets

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crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/07/2005 : 16:35:42

Have just re-inspected the mast while it is down and in the yard. I am not totally happy with the port spreader socket.Ithas pulled away from the mast just a bit, maybe 1/32". I can see a small fracture line on the base.Have shown it to people more experienced than I, who say not to worry, But I'm kind of agrandmother about things like this. I know I have read comments about this on the forum and would surely appreciate some comments from people who have made this retro-fit. It looks to be pretty difficult. I would guess that you have to remove the masthead fitting, pull all the wires and figure out some way to get those spreaders and ferrules down there. Any comments?

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 17:15:29

The devil is in the details on this one.

If the bolts are not seized to the bushings, then drive the bolt out with the new bolt. If the bolt is seized(very likely) then the job gets a lot more difficult.

If you do loose the bushing, it is possible to fish a new one with a long pipe. You will have to get creative on this one.

Tom

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 18:26:27

crcalhoon,

It sounds like you've got the older spreader bases made of cast aluminum. Those were superceded with the welded stainless steel ones for some very good reasons. As Tom said, the conversion isn't real difficult unless the 3/8" bolt is siezed in its compression sleeve inside the mast. You might try searching the C-25 specific archives for "mast spreader" or similar for previous discussions of doing this job. Here's a link to a thread titled "[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8452"]Spreader bracket bolt[/url]" to get you started. Good luck, and let us know if you need more specific suggestions. And let us know how it goes.

-- Leon Sisson

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crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 19:06:00

Thanks for that great link, Leon. I must not understand the search and archive functions on this forum yet. Having read that link, I feel a little intimidated. I may go with the boatyard operator who doesn't think mine is all that bad. I may regret that. I looked at the illustration in Catalina Direct website and saw all those compresion sleeves and thought about foam rubber blocks and did a slightly--well not too loud--scream. If I understand correctly, all things perfect, you can use the same compression sleeves, but that seems a little unlikely. Thanks again. I can't believe the help I'm getting from this forum. Maybe someday I'll learn enough about it to help somebody else out.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 19:36:05

Don't be too scared. I would take the nut almost off that holds the bracket on. Tap lightly and see if it comes out the other side. If it does, take the nut off, replace the bracket with the new one, and drive the old bolt out with the new one. Replace the bracket on the other side put the nut on and go sailing! You just saved yourself Major $$$$$.
If the bolt is stuck, It becomes a big job which is still do-able if you are good with tools.

I just have a problem paying a yard $$$$$$ for work they are going to pay someone $8 an hour to do. Where do you live? Are you close to anyone?

Tom.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 21:08:23

I'd roll the mast on it's side, remove the nut and start soaking that spreader bolt with Kroil or PB-Blaster.

Key question: Are your spreader sockets made of aluminum (replace them) or stainless steel?

While the mast is down, I'd also pull the masthead fitting for preventative maintenance. Clean any corrosion, inspect bolts, fitting, sheaves, pins and shroud fittings... (yada), Be sure to lubricate threads (& etc) with never-seize or s similar compound when re-assembling.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2005 : 09:41:30

ClamBeach makes a very good point about "...also pull the masthead fitting for preventative maintenance." Thoroughly inspecting everything to do with the mast every couple of years should be considered routine preventative maintenance, just like checking your car's oil, tire pressures, lights, brake fluid, etc. Using a magnifying glass on standing rigging fittings or anything the least bit suspicious would not be paranoid overkill. Don't wait for a failure to remind you that rigging ages.

-- Leon Sisson

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2005 : 23:13:42

crcalhoon-
Don't be intimidated... you really can do this yourself and it gives you the oppty to do all the other maintenance tasks mentioned here. I'm a rookie and I did it, so you can too. I also re-rigged the topping lift, rigged a spinnaker halyard, installed a new windex, replaced the masthead sheaves, the anchor light and the running light, spreader brackets, and all the standing rigging. I will admit that the spreader bracket through-bolt was the most troublesome because it was seized. There is a lot of help here to get you through it.

The boatyard will do it, sure, but you won't learn a thing and you may still have to do all that other stuff!

Just do it!!

Edited by - on

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2005 : 10:10:29

Checked the bolts yesterdasy. Yep. Frozen solid. Drat.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.