Spreader Weld

[lockie]

The port-side spreader on my 28 footer has a small crack in the weld where it joins the mast collar.

I'd certainly get it fixed right now if I was headed off on the blue, but how worried should I be about it for bay/coastal sailing? The rest of the rigging is not too old, and in pretty good shape.

cheers, lockie

[klem]

I assume that this weld is in aluminum? Aluminum welds tend to crack if they are stressed alot which is one of the reasons that it isn't used in certain application like trailers very often. The fact that it has cracked indicates that it is cycled heavily. To me, this would be a signal that it is an important stress point which should be fixed as soon as possible. You may also think about why this happened and whether there are other changes that need to be made while you are at it so this doesn't happen again.

[lockie]

The collar and arms are stainless, not aluminium.

[boden36]

Compass 28 is a great boat. It surprises me that the root fitting for the spreader allows no movement. This joint should not be rigid. If it has cracked once, then the joint is being subjected to loads in excess of its capacity.Maybe you should have a look at some other Compass yachts to see how their spreader roots are set up.
Regards, Richard.