Topic: Tip re: rigging and winter

I choose to take my mast down for the winter primarily because it gives me a chance to inspect the standing rigging for wear, damage, cracks etc.  A simple way to find what otherwise may be invisible cracks in swage fittings, spreader stumps and castings such as the ball joints at the head of a Contessa mast is to wipe them with a bit of iodine.  If there is a crack in the metal the iodine will stain where the crack is.  The crack will appear as a thin brown line.

Re: Tip re: rigging and winter

Sir,

You seem to know a tremendous amount on the rigging of a Contessa. I have just one question.... What is the length and diameter (both inside and outside ) of the aluminum spreaders for the Contessa 26. How far in from the end of the spreader should the knuckles be? My son has a 1980 model. We have the spreader boots, but no spreaders. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Joe Lombardi
978-526-1894