How To Attach Your Spreaders
Before starting this process, review your mast layout and spend some time preparing.
- Dry fit your spreaders first to ensure they are the correct size.
- Tape the mast down to some saw horses so that the track is vertical.
- Put the spreaders on dry and tie some string in a loop around the spreader ends, through the wire points.
- Put a stick through the loop forming a Spanish windlass, tighten this so the spreaders clamp down onto the mast and cannot move.
- Stand at the base of the mast and line up the string line on the spreaders with something in the distance that is horizontal, i.e. brickwork on your house. Keep adjusting the spreader until they are horizontal, then further tighten the string so the spreaders can't move. If you have a second set of spreaders go through the same process, but line up the string line on the second set with the first set. Use your main spreader (lower usually) as the reference set and line your top spreaders up with the lower spreaders.
- Once you have set your spreaders, drill your holes for tapping or riveting.
- Prepare all glued surfaces by a light sanding & cleaning with Acetone/Solvent.
- Mix up Epoxy with some Microfibre glue-powder, until a thick paste is formed. Consistent enough so it will not drip off a paddle pop stick.
- If you wish to remove in the future, lightly wax or polish the inside of the fitting.
- Apply Glue and tighten windlass, then apply fasteners and leave to set. Remove windlass after it is set.
- Remove excess glue and clean up with thinners.
- To align your rig with the boat, step the mast and pull on normal rig tension, leaving the heel plug free to rotate in the mast base (no fasteners). Put the boat on its side and tie a string line across the chain plates. Tie a string line across the lower spreader ends, from wire to wire. Looking from the mast tip, line up the lower spreader string with the chain plate string. Once aligned, put fasteners through the mast in to the heel plug to prevent it from rotating.
We publish this information in good faith and to assist our customers to get the best performance out of their equipment, we do not take responsibility for customer assembly.