Spreaders & shrouds design

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Ketchlover, Feb 12, 2011.

  1. Ketchlover
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    Ketchlover Junior Member

    Are there any stats on what length boats are when first equipped with spreaders? Secondly, what is the range of the diameter size of shrouds?
    And finally, what is the range (in degrees) of the angle formed by the base shroud to mast head and/or highest tang as the shroud bends around the tip of the spreader?
     
  2. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    There are 10' boats with spreaders. Shrouds go from 1/8" to maybe 3". 14 degrees is the usual minimum, but some racing boats with hight tensioned rigs may have 12 or so.
     
  3. Ketchlover
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    Ketchlover Junior Member

    Thanks. A bit more clarification if you don't mind. Assuming 3/8" solid rod shrouds, what would be the likely maximum boat length found wtih these shrouds? Also, you said 12-14 degrees minimum angle on the spreader turn. What might be the maximum angle? (Only interested in shrouds that run to masthead or highest tang.)
     
  4. Perm Stress
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    Perm Stress Senior Member

    Diameter of shrouds is determined by righting moment and actual rigging arrangement, not by length of boat.
    Righting arm of sailboats tend to be surprisingle similar at about 0.6m maximum; So, if one 10m boat is 3 ton, and the other 6 ton, assuming the same width of shroud base, loads will be different 2 times.
    12-14 degrees is quite normal angle. Much more than 14 and spreaders start to be overly long, heavy and vulnerable.
    Minimum angle is 9 degrees, as used on Dragon class and some others, but this is already a stretch...
     
  5. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Multihulls may have 45 degrees on a low rig. For example a Wharram. The righting moment and sail area are what you need to use to calculate the shrouds and not the length.
     
  6. Ketchlover
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    Ketchlover Junior Member

    Thanks guys. One last shot. (Obviously I am not designing a new boat but going after something else) Assuming pleasure sailboats to a max of 60 feet, what would the various diameter shroud sizes be? From what to what and which would be most popular? I am going to assume wire rope vastly outnumbers solid rod.

    Thanks
     
  7. Perm Stress
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    Perm Stress Senior Member

    Multihulls enjoy very wide staying base. And do not have spreaders like mono's do; below the hounds they often have diamonds, at no more than ~14 degrees to the mast again.
     
  8. Perm Stress
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    Perm Stress Senior Member

    Wire rope outnumbers rod.
    First question is too general to consider a definite, not general answer.
    Everything above about 10mm 1x19 wire rope tend to cost (many) times more.
     
  9. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    If you are going after something else, how about telling us what you really want to know?
     
  10. Ketchlover
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    Ketchlover Junior Member

    I'm working on a new nav product but need to know the number of different sized shrouds I might encounter in most 60 feet and under cruising yachts. And if a lot of different sizes, then what are the 3 or 4 most popular sizes.

    Sorry I can't tell you more than that right now. Read Practical Sailor sometime this coming summer.
     
  11. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    I don't think anyone can give you a valid answer unless you specify, for example, a particular boat design. You can go to boat companies' websites and read their specs.
     

  12. Ketchlover
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    Ketchlover Junior Member

    What would you guess the percentange of boats under 60 feet would be having shrouds of 3/8 or less?
     
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