I noticed the starboard spreader is not setting correctly against the side of the mast. When I look at the starboard side, the capstay is not 1 straight line from the top of the mast to the chainplate. It is slightly angled back until it gets to the spreader and then angles forward from there to the chain plate.
Doing some measurements, it seems that the port capstay chainplate is 1.5 inches farther back from the bow than the startboard matching chainplate.
Is this something that other owners have observed? I am concerned about this because I think it may be part of a larger issue with mast pumping when at the dock.
Any input would be appreciated.
Ed
What is the year/hull # of your boat? Tall rig or standard? Mast manufacturer? Was your mast recently stepped?
I'm pretty sure the upper shrouds should have a straight run to the chainplate.
We have a Charleston Spar mast. The castings on the spreader ends have two holes, about an inch+ apart, where the upper shrouds pass through. You probably have rigging tape over the spreader boots so this may be difficult to see, but can you determine if the shrouds on both sides of the mast pass through the same hole position? On our boat, the shroud passes through the forward hole in the spreader casting.
I'm not sure if this is the cause of your shroud alignment, but may be worth checking into.
Another possibility, if memory serves, is that older 36's had some spreader attachment issues. The newer boats have spreader castings directly welded to the mast. Do both your spreaders extend outward on a straight line?
A 1-1/2" difference between chain plate locations seems high. The upper shroud chain plates are attached to bulkheads that are positioned by the internal hull mold, so symmetry should be pretty accurate.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B