Easy release spreaders

[Québec 1]

When trailering i take my spreaders off and put them in the boat.

[Wind Chime]

I trailered my boat few days ago and finally broke the horribly thin aluminum spreaders . I'll replace them with either ss or thicker aluminum and use some form of quick release pin but NOT the regular wing nuts.
Ix

To help strengthen the aluminum spreaders, I inserted round wood dowels into the inside of our spreader tubes.

Home Depot (or any home store) will sell the round wood dowels and is a very easy install with a rubber hammer, cut down to the right length, and drilled holes for the the spreader bolts.

Really stiffens the upper section up, especially when there is no load on the spreaders like when trailering. It's so easy to catch your foot in a shroud when they're laying all over the deck before bundling to horizontal mast.

[Calin]

So this is the new system. Thanks for the advice, Ireally appreciate it.

Quebec 1, noticed the wear on the buckle and the few rust spots. Mine was in a better shape when it failed resulting in braking my mast in 2. I wish that would never happen again to anyone else.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =9&t=24278