Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
Post Reply
Prospect
Chief Steward
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 5:10 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Toronto ON

Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by Prospect »

I'm wondering about the nuts that hold spreaders to the spreader tube attachment. Are they all nylon nuts or not? I want to replace them and the boat is still in storage. The manual says 1/4" x2 bolts and lock nuts. The photo does not seem to show any washers installed.

Does anyone know the size of the two other bolts I pointed to in the picture below? I'd like to replace them too.

User avatar
Starscream
Admiral
Posts: 1574
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:08 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A

Re: Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by Starscream »

Don't know about the inner bolts, but on my X the spreader nuts were nylock when I got the boat 15 years ago, so probably original.

For the spreaders, I've replaced the nuts and bolts with a stainless trailer hitch pin with wire lock. Takes about 1.5 seconds to remove them for trailering, and no worries about ever slipping out.
User avatar
NiceAft
Admiral
Posts: 6760
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Re: Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by NiceAft »

For the spreaders, I've replaced the nuts and bolts with a stainless trailer hitch pin with wire lock. Takes about 1.5 seconds to remove them for trailering, and no worries about ever slipping out.
A picture is worth a thousand words. At the very least, 34.
Ray ~~_/)~~
User avatar
Starscream
Admiral
Posts: 1574
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:08 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A

Re: Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by Starscream »

NiceAft wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:02 pm
For the spreaders, I've replaced the nuts and bolts with a stainless trailer hitch pin with wire lock. Takes about 1.5 seconds to remove them for trailering, and no worries about ever slipping out.
A picture is worth a thousand words. At the very least, 34.
lol... not at the boat right now, but looks exactly like this: https://www.amazon.ca/Safety-Coupler-Ma ... 73&sr=8-10
C Buchs
Captain
Posts: 605
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:49 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Camas, WA 98607

Re: Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by C Buchs »

Starscream wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:11 am
NiceAft wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:02 pm
For the spreaders, I've replaced the nuts and bolts with a stainless trailer hitch pin with wire lock. Takes about 1.5 seconds to remove them for trailering, and no worries about ever slipping out.
A picture is worth a thousand words. At the very least, 34.
lol... not at the boat right now, but looks exactly like this: https://www.amazon.ca/Safety-Coupler-Ma ... 73&sr=8-10
I also have these. I'm preparing to replace all my rigging and will use a piece of stainless wire rope to tether them to the top of the lower shroud. The fewer parts I have to find when taking the mast up and down the better. I don't have a swage tool of my own. So I'm debating taking it into West Marine to get it done or buying the tool.

Jeff
C Buchs
Captain
Posts: 605
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:49 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Camas, WA 98607

Re: Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by C Buchs »

C Buchs wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:53 am
I also have these. I'm preparing to replace all my rigging and will use a piece of stainless wire rope to tether them to the top of the lower shroud. The fewer parts I have to find when taking the mast up and down the better. I don't have a swage tool of my own. So I'm debating taking it into West Marine to get it done or buying the tool.

Jeff
I started installing my new rigging yesterday. Here's a picture of how I attached the pins with some 1/16" wire rope:
Image
The guy at West Marine said that they don't do swaging and that I just needed to keep track of the materials I used. I used two one-foot-long pieces of wire rope and one package of oval sleeves. Total cost was less than $5. A new record low for a trip to West Marine 8)

Jeff
User avatar
Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8345
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Spreader tube attachment Nut (nylon or not)

Post by Russ »

C Buchs wrote: Mon Apr 15, 2024 8:32 am Total cost was less than $5. A new record low for a trip to West Marine 8)

Jeff
Nice idea to keep the pins attached.

No doubt a record low purchase at West.
--Russ
Post Reply