How difficult to replace a spreader??????

[KayakDan]

On the siubject of replacing spreaders,I just ordered a spreader,end cap and upper shroud for stbd side. The shroud was a bit "unwound" and the spreader was bent a bit. No clue when it happened,but the shroud just looked scary. No point in taking a chance.
Is there any specific measurement for setting up the shroud and spreader,as in measurement of shroud?

[tangentair]

I just remember that the distance from the top of the mast to the tip of the spreader (alng the shroud that is) is 12 ft. I can measure my shroud when I get home tonight but it will be late after 8 CDT.

[KayakDan]

Tangentair,no need to measure. I will measure the opposite side.
Thanks

[Nodak7]

Just to add my two cents I did pull my bent spreader on my 98 X and found it to be 1/16th rather than 1/8th wall thickness. I found the material in the local hardware store and I am replacing it with the 1/16th.

[Québec 1]

Wrap the upper shroud just above and just below the spreader tip with electrical tape. Pull it good and tight so the tape doesn't slide.
Remove one of the machine screws from the spreader tip, with a phillips screw driver, and loosen the other one so you can remove it from the shroud.
Remove the 1/4" hex-head bolt from the spreader bracket, that is holding the spreader tube, with two 7/16" wrenches.
Remove the part of the spreader tip that is inside the spreader tube, with a phillips and 3/8" wrench (I think).
Take this part of the spreader tip with you to the store. Find some aluminum tubing that the spreader tip will fit into. Around here, I think it's Ace hardware stores that sells the correct size tubing. Another one sells tubing that is just a little thicker wall that the spreader part will not fit into it.
Cut the tubing to the correct length. Drill the holes. Put the spreader tip part into the tube, and put the tube into the spreader bracket, with the screw/bolt heads on top.
Put the tip between the two pieces of electrical tape and tighten the two screws that hold it to the shroud, evenly.

Thanks Bill, followed your instructions and installed a new spreader on Bleu Marin...1hr and 20 minutes for me and no corporal wounds Bravo on the great instructions Merci Beaucoup

http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii12 ... er%20mods/

Q1

[jaycrawford97]

thanks bill for info, spreader, and advice, very kind!
jay

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Hi Jay - If you can find the correct I.D. tubing, in an 8' stick, use the factory cut, on each end, for the spreader tips. Measure 44" in from each end and cut with a pipe cutter, or a hack saw, for the spreader bracket end. If you put a piece of PVC tubing, or a wood dowel inside the spreader tube, that should help to keep it from kinking. Let me know if you can't find the right size tubing.
- Bill

[seahouse]

Great advice Bill.

Another tip: if you don't have a pipe cutter, you can get a good square cut (almost as good as the factory cut, depending on how careful you are ) with just a hacksaw if you wrap a piece of paper around the tube with its edge at the line where you want the cut. Tape it there if you like.

Use the edge of the paper (which will be perfectly square to the tubing) as a guide as you make the sawcut. A few passes with a file after that removes burrs and will give a nice smoothe finish to the now-square end.

-B.

[Highlander]

Interesting a square end on round tubing , would that not require square end fitting,s on either end !! Mmmmm

J
PS or would that be an even end with even fitting,s

[Tomfoolery]

Ba-da-bum <crash>

[seahouse]

Interesting a square end on round tubing , would that not require square end fitting,s on either end !! Mmmmm

J
PS or would that be an even end with even fitting,s

So you can put a round peg in a square end after all!

[81venture]

I replaced a set of bad spreaders on an O'day 22 and also a Catalina 22

We cut up a spare salvage swim ladder....perfect fit.
zero dollars

dave