MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey

[Agi]

Hi everyone,

I really want to thank you all for your suggestions, I take your advice seriously, and I’m very grateful that you noticed this issue!

I wrote to Mr. Todd on Sunday, and he replied with the following:

“Those have definitely been modified and are also definitely not safe. By reshaping them, the basic geometry of the rigging has been changed and the strength of the tubes has been compromised. The spreaders operate under a substantial compression load when sailing upwind, and the bend will greatly reduce their strength. My only guess is that the previous owner reshaped them so they wouldn’t have to tuck the spreaders under the lifelines for trailering. They should definitely be replaced with straight ones. FYI, you will likely need to readjust the length of the upper shrouds after you change them.”

I have to admit, I felt a bit down after reading that . Because even raising the sail was already a challenge for me, I had to find someone and pay him to help. It feels a bit like climbing the Himalayas to take the sail down again and make these changes. ! But I understand that I have to do it for my safety. There is no discussion about that, that it has to be done and again THANKS A LOT TO EVERYONE for keeping an eye on me:).

I asked Mr. Todd if I could order original spreaders directly from him, but the problem is that shipping and customs to Greece are very expensive.
I also asked if he knows any suppliers in Europe where I could buy them.

Do you have any suggestions on how I could have new ones made locally? What material should I use, and can I find somewhere the exact measurements? From what Todd said, I’ll also need to readjust the upper shrouds once the new spreaders are installed.

Any advice or experience would be really appreciated

(Is there something else that I can do to make the mast more safe avoiding it not to fall forward but even not to fall backwards? I heard that it has happend that the mast felt backwards...It is only hold of the Forestay. For me it seems more dangerous that it could fall backwards then forward.)

Thank you all again for your help and for keeping an eye out for my safety!

Best regards
-Agi-

[Russ]

I don't have measurements. I'll see if I can learn.

You can easily source them locally. They are simple aluminum tubing. Most hardware stores should carry the tubing. I don't know what you have in Greece, but I'm sure you can find a local supplier.
The key is the correct thickness for strength.

I understand it is difficult to raise and lower the mast. But you will get better the more often you do.

You can find dimensions in this thread.

viewtopic.php?t=24657

[tuxonpup]

Hi everyone,

I really want to thank you all for your suggestions, I take your advice seriously, and I’m very grateful that you noticed this issue!

I wrote to Mr. Todd on Sunday, and he replied with the following:

“Those have definitely been modified and are also definitely not safe. By reshaping them, the basic geometry of the rigging has been changed and the strength of the tubes has been compromised. The spreaders operate under a substantial compression load when sailing upwind, and the bend will greatly reduce their strength. My only guess is that the previous owner reshaped them so they wouldn’t have to tuck the spreaders under the lifelines for trailering. They should definitely be replaced with straight ones. FYI, you will likely need to readjust the length of the upper shrouds after you change them.”

I have to admit, I felt a bit down after reading that . Because even raising the sail was already a challenge for me, I had to find someone and pay him to help. It feels a bit like climbing the Himalayas to take the sail down again and make these changes. ! But I understand that I have to do it for my safety. There is no discussion about that, that it has to be done and again THANKS A LOT TO EVERYONE for keeping an eye on me:).

I asked Mr. Todd if I could order original spreaders directly from him, but the problem is that shipping and customs to Greece are very expensive.
I also asked if he knows any suppliers in Europe where I could buy them.

Do you have any suggestions on how I could have new ones made locally? What material should I use, and can I find somewhere the exact measurements? From what Todd said, I’ll also need to readjust the upper shrouds once the new spreaders are installed.

Any advice or experience would be really appreciated

Thank you all again for your help and for keeping an eye out for my safety!

Best regards
-Agi-

If there's one thing I've learned about 26X/M rigging, it's that spreaders should be considered consumable as they can be bent in the mast raising/lowering process. First 26X I looked at, the owner told me he'd changed his multiple times and always carried spares.

I've only had my 26X a year, raised and lowered my mast twice so far, and have done my share of accidentally bending stuff, it's good practice!

[Agi]

Thanks again everyone for your great support!!!

As I understand I have to order two pieces. Can I insert them in the existing "spreader socket and bracket" (see picture) or do I have to make a further modification?
Is there something else that I would need and order from BW in order to make this adjustment?
Would I need even new shrouds? Or can I use and adjust what I already have?

I am sending you even some other pictures.
Maybe you see something else that is not correct and that I should adjust .

Is there something that I can do to make the mast more safe for not falling backwards? I have heard that there were some accidents with this, but I dont know if it is true.

[tuxonpup]

Looks like you can just remove the bolt from the spreader sockets, insert new aluminum tubing cut to the right length and drilled for the existing bolt hole and end cap, then re-tension the stay adjusters by sliding the pin for the new position. You'll want to recheck your headstay tension at that point as well, there's a standard turnbuckle at the bottom inside your furling drum.
I think the new spreaders that first owner I talked to were cut from an aluminum extending paint roller pole he bought at a home improvement store, so long as the wall thickness is the same or greater the replacement can be made affordably.

[Jimmyt]

As tuxonpup says, the center piece of your spreaders is the correct part. If it isn’t bent, you should be able to use it. Your shrouds may work as there is a good bit of adjustment where it attaches at the chain plate. Unless someone knows the right length, you won’t know till you raise the mast with the proper spreaders in place. I’ll take a look, and others will probably chime in.

It looks like your boom is attached vertically to the mast. You didn’t raise it like that, did you? If so, that would make it harder to raise. You should detach the boom before raising/lowering.

Your first photo in this thread shows you have the mast raising system. That’s the pole with the brake winch attached, approx 6 ft long. Lowering and raising the mast (if you don’t move it out of the mast step), should take you just a few minutes, and it can be done on the water on a calm day with little or no wind. You don’t want to be raising the mast without the upper shrouds snug in rough conditions, or strong wind.

If you can’t easily, and fairly quickly, lower your mast onto the rear support, we need to figure that out before you move forward.

[Russ]

You can make your own spreader from aluminum tubing sold at most hardware stores.

Remove the spreader tip from the aluminum tube. Maintain the location on the cable shrouds.
Remove the spreader tube from the mast. It is held by 1 7/16" bolt.




The tube should be cut to 44" or 112mm in lenght. You will need to drill holes for the bolts. Use the old tube as a template.

I would remove one and bring it into a hardware store and buy tubing with the same diameter and wall thickness.

It's a very easy repair and many of us have accidentally bent our and required replacement.

You may have to adjust the side stays if the previous owner adjusted them for the bend in the spreaders. Very easy to do yourself.

[Agi]

@Jimmyt -> actually I didnt rais the mast myelf I found and paid someone who did it for me but I have to learn it my own. Yes I have the raising system. Is there even a video where I can see how to lower the mast? That would be really great if I can only lower it so far so that I can remove the spreader without doing all the procedure taking the mast complete out.

@Russ -> Can I even buy such spreader tips? What is the name herefore if I make this on my own and I have to buy this? So as I understand the spread has to be straight 112mm long and as I saw the diameter is normally 25mm and 1,5mm thick. But it is a great idea to check first what diameter my old spreader has -> so that the new one will for sure fit into the "spreader socket and bracket".

You are really AMAZING guys!!! Thank you for your great support!!!

[Russ]

You don't need to replace the spreader tips. They should be able to be removed from the tube (spreader) and reattached to the new replacement tube (spreader).
Your spreader tips look to be in good condition.

Learning how to raise and lower the mast is an important skill. It is easy to do once you learn how.

Here is a good Video


BTW, there are more videos and downloadable manuals on this page
https://www.macgregorsailors.com/resources.html

[Russ]

Another mast raising video.
It is not very difficult.

[Agi]

Hi everybody,

Today I went to the boat to do some little things and I observed the mast.
Is it right that the only thing that holds it for falling backwards is the forestay?
Is there something else that I can do to be more safe? Actually I am more concerned that the mast will fall backwards than forward.
But for sure I will fix that issue with the spreaders and I will order them from BW in the next days.

I even want to order a second "pin" for the forestay.

Is this the right one?

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/f501-000.htm

Thx in advance

[NiceAft]

The Is designed that way. Once all stays are attached, the mast is secure.

[tuxonpup]

Hi everybody,

Today I went to the boat to do some little things and I observed the mast.
Is it right that the only thing that holds it for falling backwards is the forestay?
Is there something else that I can do to be more safe? Actually I am more concerned that the mast will fall backwards than forward.
But for sure I will fix that issue with the spreaders and I will order them from BW in the next days.

I even want to order a second "pin" for the forestay.

Is this the right one?

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/f501-000.htm

Thx in advance

Try this one instead: https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3442-100.htm

[Russ]

Try this one instead: https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3442-100.htm

That's the pin I have. It is much easier to install.

I also fear the mast falling backward if the forestay fails. My solution was to run a line from the bow pulpit to another mast hound above the forestay. It is very simple and gives some backup in case of a failure.

I attach a simple dacron line from the mast hound. Blue water yachts sells the mast hounds, however, shipping might make it costly. I am sure you can source it locally.

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3430-1m0.htm




You should visit this page and download useful manuals and information
https://macgregorsailors.com/resources.html

[Agi]

Thank you everybody!
I will order this pin too from BW.

Do you have a picture of it @ Russ with your safety line?