What are mast spreaders for?
A spreader is a spar on a sailboat used to deflect the shrouds to allow them to better support the mast. The purpose of the spreaders is to control, by either limiting, or inducing, bend into the spar so that when the windward shroud is loaded the mast achieves the desired bend characteristics.
What is mast compression?
The Hurley 22 and 24/70 yachts tend to suffer from a condition that we call mast compression; that is when the coachroof around the mast is deformed downwards by the weight of the mast and the tension of the shrouds. These vessels sometimes have leaks due to faulty mast gaiter glands.
What is a mast spar?
The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall spar, or arrangement of spars, erected more or less vertically on the centre-line of a ship or boat. Such a section was known as a made mast, as opposed to sections formed from single pieces of timber, which were known as pole masts.
What is mast pump?
Pumping” (described in my last post) is the fore and aft movement of the mast as the boat sails through the water. This will increase with both windspeed and wave height. Some of this is normal, but it can reach a point where it must be controlled or limited, as excessive pumping can fatigue many parts of the rig.
How are spreaders attached to the mast?
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.
What are shrouds on a sailboat?
On a sailing boat, the shrouds are pieces of standing rigging which hold the mast up from side to side. They are sometimes held outboard by channels, a ledge that keeps the shrouds clear of the gunwales. Shrouds are attached symmetrically on both the port and starboard sides.
What wood are masts made of?
Sitka Spruce (Silver, Tideland or Menzies Spruce) has long been the top choice for mast builders. However many other spars have been built using whatever light, straight-grained wood was available, such as those shown below.
What causes mast pumping?
Mast pumping is caused by the velocity of the wind causing the formation ‘vortexes’ (rotors) being shed by the geometry of the mast; and, when the frequency (rate) of the vortex shedding is in ‘tune’ with the natural frequency of the mast, the mast will (can) vibrate in a (destructive) harmonic response to the shedding …
How do spreaders work?
Broadcast spreaders distribute fertilizer in a fan-like pattern in all directions and cover a wider area per pass than drop spreaders. The rate you walk and the spreader’s hole size impact how much product is distributed. Broadcast spreaders naturally distribute less product toward the edge of its broadcast range.
What are mast shrouds?
On a sailing boat, the shrouds are pieces of standing rigging which hold the mast up from side to side. Usually a shroud will connect at the top of the mast, and additional shrouds might connect partway down the mast, depending on the design of the boat.
What is the difference between a stay and a shroud on a sailboat?
Shroud. Stays and shrouds are often confused, as they essentially do the same thing (just in different places). Stays are only located on the bow and stern of the vessel—that’s fore and aft. Shrouds run from the port and starboard side of the hull or deck to the top of the mast.
What is a boat with 2 masts called?
Schooner: A schooner is a sailboat with at least two masts, with the forward mast (foremast) being a bit shorter than the main mast. Although a schooner can have more than two masts, most were just two.