Technique: RS 200 Spreaders

RS 200 Spreaders

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10704
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 8:21pm
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Topic: RS 200 Spreaders

Posted By: JVSAIL
Subject: RS 200 Spreaders
Date Posted: 11 Feb 13 at 9:13pm

I was adjusting the spreaders the other day but could only adjust them with the large interval slider rather than the small intveral changer/twisty thing. So I was wondering if anyone know how the small interval changer works?

Replies:

Posted By: GybeFunny
Date Posted: 12 Feb 13 at 7:14am

Are these the old style spreaders with bottle screws or the new ones with different pins?

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date Posted: 12 Feb 13 at 7:27am

Excuse me if I have got the wrong end of the stick on this but my understanding of the 200 spreaders is that there is a mini bottle screw type fitting near the mast that adjusts the spreader angle, and there is a slider at the end of the spreader that adjusts the length. The 2 adjustments do different things to the mast. The bottle screw will adjust the fore and aft bend primarliy, and the slider the sideways stiffness.

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 12 Feb 13 at 10:23am

The bottle screws adjust the rake of the spreaders. This, along with mast rake changes your bend in the mast. I think the older ones had bottle screws, then up until last year they changes to pins and now the very new boats are back to bottle screws.

The pins in the mast tips change your 'poke' (interval slider). The wider you go the more poke or spread you have. Wider spreaders (for the same tension) create a stiffer mast which is less bendy sideways. There is also a though that longer spreaders poke or pull the mast to windward or leeward when loaded, closing or opening your jib-main slot as the gust hits. I've never been able to detect this however.

Generally, more raked back and narrower spreaders (for the same tension and mast rake) will create a less powerful and more gust responsive rig (good for lighter weights). Wider spreaders with less poke will create a very straight powerful mast but will have less automatic response when a gust hits.

Changing mast rake, mast foot position and tension will also effect these properties.

Essentially, this a 200 though, and fine adjustments will make little difference. Just go to the class website and pick a number in the middle of those suggested and you'll be fine.

Posted By: JVSAIL
Date Posted: 12 Feb 13 at 4:55pm

I believe it is the old stlye bottle screws. I just couldn't get them to turn I think, if that is what they are surpose to do

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date Posted: 12 Feb 13 at 5:42pm

Yes the bottle screws sieze up due to corrosion between the stainless and aluimium. Try some WD40.