Source of replacement for spreader T34C

[ArtJ]

Hello Neil (and Art).

It's OK with me if anyone wants to post the document to the Tartan group. I stopped using that forum when it migrated from its original site to its new one. I may be out of date, but many files and other resources seem not to have survived.

I do think the spreader measurements would be more helpful if they included cross sections at a few points. I haven't figured out how to get those yet, but I'll add them when I do.

Jack.

Hi Jack

I noticed on your photos that there appears to be a single filled hole
inboard about a inch of the other mounting holes. Does this
filled hole exist on your other spreader as well?
Could the spreader
have been attached by a single bolt originally and possibly used on a different point of attachment?

Regards

Art

[jcwright]

Hello Art.

I checked both spreaders. The (possibly) filled holes you mention are on both sides of both spreaders. It's difficult to measure where the center of each hole might be, as the shapes are irregular. They are approximately on the centerline of the spreader, and about 2" from the inboard edge. They are in the reinforced section I mentioned in an earlier post, which is about double the wall thickness of the rest of the spreader.

There is no evidence that the 'holes' extended through the reinforced section; inside the spreader there are no welds or other filler where a might have been.

So, it's a bit of a mystery to me what these spots are. I've attached a photo.

Let me know if you need any other information.

jack.

[tenders]

That spreader in many ways resembles the lowers from my ‘69 Ericson 32 - which were made of Sitka spruce. The shape is not that complicated and aside from the length, very little needs to be precise as long as it fits the mounting hardware.

I made replacements of my four spreaders over a weekend from a slab of raw wood and just a few woodworking tools - borrowed my brother-in-law’s planer and router, and the rest was bandsaw, drilling, and sanding. I have no particular woodworking skills but it was all very straightforward once the wood was planed to the right thickness. Coated them all with West epoxy with UV hardener, and (initially) two coats of Brightside, then after ten years recoated them with epoxy and three coats of Perfection.

Don’t make too many assumptions about the symmetry of the port and starboard pieces. It’s possible that your aluminum part was made from a casting of a wooden version with a different attachment method, which itself may not have been identical to the piece on the other side. This could explain the phantom hole in the casting.

What are “double lower spreaders”? How many spreaders have you got on that thing?

[jcwright]

I believe Art's earlier post about 'double lowers' was referring to double lower shrouds. Earlier T34Cs had two lower shrouds per side. The later design (like mine) had one per side. As far as I'm aware, the mast height did not change. I suspect the spreader dimensions didn't change either.

[ArtJ]

Thanks Jack

I was wondering about the holes and if the spreader had been repurposed.


Regarding Spreader design and placement I read a article from This Old Boat?

or Practical Sailor ?which cautioned about spreaders being the most common point of mast failure, It cautions that the shroud angle above and below the
spreader be equal to avoid a mast failure. It also cautioned that spreader design is not be be taken lightly . If I can find the article again I will post the location. I think I googled "spreaders design / failure or something similar

Regards and thanks
Art

[ArtJ]

The Spreader article is from the SEPT/Oct 2019 issue 128 of Good Old Boat
"Equal Angles Equal Forces " Pg17 " correct adjustment may save your rig"

https://goodoldboat.com/equal-angles-equal-forces/

Regards
Art

[Marty Levenson]

Good stuff

Thanks for the information. I can imagine tugging on a stuck flag when heeled over.....!

[jcwright]

I've attached the best copy I have of Sparkman & Stephens' sail plan for the T34C. It shows the designed length of the spreader (3') and the height of the spreader base at the mast. Let me know if there is any other information you need.

Jack.

[ArtJ]

Thanks Jack
That is a better copy than mine and proves that the spreaders are the same
on both single and double lowers versions

Thabks

Art

[jcwright]

Art,

I've attached an updated drawing of the T34C spreader, this time including the cross-sections that were missing from the earlier file.

Jack.

[ArtJ]

Art,

I've attached an updated drawing of the T34C spreader, this time including the cross-sections that were missing from the earlier file.

Jack.

Jack

Is it possible to add the orientation of the slot for the stay with regard
to the mounting holes in order to know whether the holes are vertical or horizontal when mounted to the mast?
This helps in determining the direction of wear.

Thanks

art

[jcwright]

Hello Art.

I've updated the PDF file to include close-up views of the spreader tip, with essential measurements.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Jack.

Spreader diagram.pdf

[ArtJ]

Thank you for the details they are very nice

What I hoping for was a full length drawing showing or pointing to both ends
on the same drawing . Since the slots in the shroud end need to be vertical
and looking at both ends on the same drawing I can ascertain whether the
bolts holding the spreader to the mast bracket are vertical or horizontal.
The reason I need this is because the person with poor english who
went up the mast said the bolt end was loose. Could be enlarged holes
or undersized bolts or other damage. I did not go up the mast myself
because I injured my left arm.

I assume that the bolts are vertical in use, but want to be certain . Adding the slot location /orientation on the full length drawing which includes both holes and slot orientation would provide this

Apologies for the inconvenience which is greatly appreciated


Art

[tenders]

If I'm reading the diagram correctly and understanding your question, page 1 of the diagram shows that the mounting holes are in the "wide" dimension of the spreader and the retaining bolts are thus vertically oriented.

Page 4 of the diagram shows that the upper finger of the shroud "grabber" goes forward and curls aft, while the lower finger goes aft and curls forward.

Before you get too freaked out about the looseness on the bolt end...they need to have several degrees' worth of up-and-down "slop" or wobble, or they'll snap as the mast leans back and forth a bit from port to starboard tack. What your rigger observed may be by design.

These are relatively complicated extrusions, with that gradated rectangular-to-circular shape. The top view on page 1 is exactly the same profile as my spruce spreaders. I guess the few ounces of weight savings aloft were worth it to some sailors when these boats were competitive racers, but today...?

[jcwright]

Hello Art.

I've attached an updated PDF file that includes the image you mention in your last post. On page 2, you will see the original drawing of the spreader (top view). Just below that I've included a photo of the entire spreader from the same perspective.

I inserted "pins" (actually pens) in the two holes where the spreader is mounted to the mast to highlight their orientation. These holes are vertical, ie, parallel to the mast. I also inserted a pin in the slot at the tip of the spreader where the upper shroud rests.

Let me know if this doesn't give you and your rigger the information you need.

jack.

Spreader diagram.pdf