length of spreaders

[ebb]

Howzitgoin Tony?
Obvious I'm fascinated by methods, techniques. It's the stuff we think we invent that we get off on. How-to-proceed for the out-sider is usually not explained very well - or is unexplainable. Experience, intuition and concentration seldom sees words. The refuge of the master-shipwright is instant gratification in seeing his task already completed. In his mind it is done. He's too impatient to explain it and never will spend half his life on the internet looking for advice - or how to re-invent the wheel - or even a better way to do it. The next step for the guy who is really sure is simply to dance. That's why I'm so damn slow.
There is always somebody who has done it, whatever, befor - done it better and with effortless agility. Knapping comes to mind. Hitting one rock with another to make a point has been the difinition of what humans are for millions of years. That vital skill in countless generations had masters as well.

Those who didn't have the knack wanted to sit close to the master knapper. That produced social organizing, secret societies, family trees, conflict, governments, corporations, privilege, war, cults, benevolent associations, and blogs. Making it possible for people who didn't have THE skill, or any skills, to have something to do, and maybe something to contribute.


That sheeve bolt at the top of the old mast - where on A-338 most of the aging occured to the mast structure - imco can be upgraded with the smooth shank cross over and enough thread only for the nut. That's what I'm doing. The mast shows with the LabMetal fairing that the original bolt did deform the mast sides permanently inward.

Without forethought I had a new 6 11/16" delrin sheeve made with a bronze bearing for the usual 1/2" thru-bolt. It is possible to imagine a compression tube with a bearing sleeve around it, but I didn't see it, and missed the step. That single double duty bolt which also anchors the upper shroud tangs could use extra help in the form of bushings for the mast wall. May still do that, but haven't planned on it. Stainless steel or aluminum bushings for the mast wall would have to be customed, so I may leave that fat chance for the future.

Instead of merely loose cheek pieces the original 6"D sheeve installation had, I'm putting it in a welded aluminum sleeve, which I hope will help stabilize the top of the mast. To form a sleeve the cheek side pieces are welded to top and bottom strips. The new sleeve, in that amazing huge mast cutout, will be flat and solidly resting on the bottom of the cutout, helping to resist the downward pull on the bolt. The old side pieces were held in place only by the bolt passing thru !
By boxing the assembly the sleeve can be considered a structural component and can also be fastened to the mast with angle clips if desired.

Hopefully the short thread no squeeze bolt, as described, will work as imagined. Not only does that lone bolt hold up the mast with tensioned shrouds, but also holds up the mainsail with all the added downward force of bar-taut halyard. That's a lot to ask of 1/8" aluiminum wall!