Rig Tension

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   For those of you that have Sparcraft masts may I suggest that over the winter period you take a moment to go & have a good look at your spreaders !
Prior to us spending the month of August on board cruising along the UK's south coast to the Scilly Isles we had our rig checked.  It was noted at the time that the lower port spreader had developed a crack and that it needed replacing, so one was ordered from Sparcraft in France.

Recently the boat has been out of the water to have Coppercoat applied and so took the opportunity to have the mast un-stepped too.

Unfortunately Sparcraft sent over one that was probably damaged in transit so had to go back, the second one turned up but we waited till Norse King was back in the water before fitting the new one.  It turns out this is  15 mm too long and the hole drilled for the deck light cable was on the wrong side !!!  Well done Sparcraft !!

Below are photo's of the old one at the top showing the piece of the corner that is vulnerable to stress fractures and has broken off.

The second photo shows the location of the cable hole not only on the wrong side but far to close to the second locating hole causing a new stress point.

SPARCRAFT  -  Please think about the stresses that go through your systems and locate such pins in zones that if not free from stress are at least less stressed !  (Or look at Seldons)

So folks wondering what to do after the festive period, well climb up that mast and have a look, it could save you from disaster just when you least need it !

Photo 1 top - is the underside of the lower portside Spreader (note 3 holes) bottom - new spreader

Photo 2 top -topside of old spreader bottom - new spreader (note 3 holes)

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JonB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 21 September 2010 Location: Cowes Status: Offline Points: 504	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonB Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 07 November 2012 at 10:27
	For those of you that have Sparcraft masts may I suggest that over the winter period you take a moment to go & have a good look at your spreaders ! Prior to us spending the month of August on board cruising along the UK's south coast to the Scilly Isles we had our rig checked. It was noted at the time that the lower port spreader had developed a crack and that it needed replacing, so one was ordered from Sparcraft in France. Recently the boat has been out of the water to have Coppercoat applied and so took the opportunity to have the mast un-stepped too. Unfortunately Sparcraft sent over one that was probably damaged in transit so had to go back, the second one turned up but we waited till Norse King was back in the water before fitting the new one. It turns out this is 15 mm too long and the hole drilled for the deck light cable was on the wrong side !!! Well done Sparcraft !! Below are photo's of the old one at the top showing the piece of the corner that is vulnerable to stress fractures and has broken off. The second photo shows the location of the cable hole not only on the wrong side but far to close to the second locating hole causing a new stress point. SPARCRAFT - Please think about the stresses that go through your systems and locate such pins in zones that if not free from stress are at least less stressed ! (Or look at Seldons) So folks wondering what to do after the festive period, well climb up that mast and have a look, it could save you from disaster just when you least need it ! Photo 1 top - is the underside of the lower portside Spreader (note 3 holes) bottom - new spreader Photo 2 top -topside of old spreader bottom - new spreader (note 3 holes)
	Jon B 470e http://www.norse-king.blogspot.co.uk



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