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Spreader bracket replacement ...

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1762 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/09/2003 : 21:27:51

Hi everyone,

I went to the boat today and dropped the mast so I could take care of about a half dozen mast-related projects. My first project was to replace the old aluminum spreader brackets with the new stainless steel ones. I bought the upgrade kit from Catalina Direct, and the replacement looked like it was going to be pretty straight forward ... WRONG <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

The old spreader brackets came off pretty easily. But, when I tried to attach the new brackets to the mast, the screws were TOO LONG ... there wasn't enough thread to tighten them to the mast. I came home and called Catalina Direct ... they are going to send me replacement bolts, but they don't know what size to send ... I've got to go back to the boat, measure the wrong bolts, and call them back with the size so they don't send me the wrong ones again. Something about this doesn't pass the smell test ... and this is the second time CD has sent me parts for another Catalina (not long ago they sent me swing keel bolts for a C-22).

Anyway, now that I've vented a bit, here is the problem. In the spreader bracket kit there are two "compression tubes." These are aluminum tubes that are supposed to be installed INSIDE the mast ... the bracket bolts go through them, and the tubes prevent the mast from bending inward if you really tighten down hard on the bolts when you attach the brackets to the mast. Here is a link to a diagram from the old C-25 parts manual that shows the old spreader bracket, and you can see one compression tube inside the mast (item #2):

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/pc15.gif

First, let me say that there were no compression tubes inside the mast when I removed the old spreader brackets. Now, how in the world are you supposed to get that compression tube inside the mast and lined up with the holes?????? CD said I might be able to use a long piece of PVC pipe (or something similar), tape the compression tube to the end, poke it all the way up there from the bottom of the mast until it lines up with the holes ... YGBSM! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Since there were no compression tubes in there to begin with, I am inclined to forget about installing TWO of them now. It seems to me that their only purpose is to keep the mast from collapsing if someone cranks down on the wrench like a gorilla ... am I missing something here?

Thanks for the help!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - buzz maring on 04/09/2003 21:55:20

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2003 : 22:27:07

I would think that the compression tube's only job as you said, is to prevent overtightening the bolt and stressing the mast. Remember that the weakest point of the mast is at those spreader bracket holes(look at Marko's broken mast pictures) so you might want to make the effort to install the tubes.

As for installing the tubes, I've never done it myself, but using tape or rubber bands to secure it to the end of a PVC pipe then shoving it in the mast sounds reasonable. I would first attach the tube to the PVC pipe, then on the outside of the mast line up the tube with it's hole and mark the PVC at the bottom of the mast so you'll know how far to poke the pipe into the mast.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2003 : 23:46:38

When I did the spreader bracket replacement on "Quiet Time", I taped the new compression tubes lightly to the end of a 20' long piece of 1/2" PVC sprinkler pipe, then had my wife wiggle it around until the bolts lined up and I could push them through. When the bolt is through, just pull the pipe out. Only use a little bit of tape.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1889 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2003 : 01:02:17

Buzz,<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>PVC ... YGBSM ... Since there were no compression tubes in there to begin with, I am inclined to forget about installing TWO of them now. It seems to me that their only purpose is to keep the mast from collapsing if someone cranks down on the wrench like a gorilla ... am I missing something here?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>It's not just about keeping you from crushing the mast during installation. The compression sleeves also give the thru-bolts something to tighten up against. Also, when the boat is heeled, the windward spreader is under considerable compression. The sleeves assure the pressure is shared by both sides of the mast, preventing the mast extrusion from collapsing at the spreaders like an empty beer can. This is an upgrade to improve reliability, remember?<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

When I changed my spreader sockets, I installed 4 compression sleeves: one at the 3/8" bolt just below the spreader tubes, two at the 5/16" bolts just above the spreaders, and a big one directly between the spreader tubes where the #10 screws project through the mast wall from inside the spreader tube sockets. No, Catalina didn't supply all four sleeves; I made some of them myself.

As Don said, the PVC pipe method works. I cut a slight V notch in the end of the PVC to aid in controlling the angle of the sleeves. Be sure to install the sleeves in the correct order, or you will be cussing.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>... the screws were TOO LONG ... called Catalina Direct ... they are going to send me replacement bolts, but they don't know what size to send ... Something about this doesn't pass the smell test.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>I don't want to be making excuses for CD sending unusable parts -- they've done it to me too. However, I think the standard rig and tall rig extrusions have different minor axis dimesions, thus requiring different length thru-bolts, which may be the source of their confusion this time.

Good luck!<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Daniel
1st Mate

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78 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2003 : 18:00:07

I lightly taped the compression tubes (one at at time, of course) to a long piece of bamboo I had lying around. By holding it against the outside of the mast you can easily mark the bamboo or pole with the appropriate insertion depth, then line up the comp. tubes with the holes. Simple! At least as long as there are no significant internal obstructions.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2003 : 08:37:46

I remember when Harvey and I replaced ours a number of years ago there was a high MF quotient . Like everyone else we took a really long piece of wood and taped the post to the wood. Then MF'ed our way through it.

It takes a lot of patience and communication.

DW

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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