When I bought my Rhodes, there were no spreader shims in place on the mast. I think they had deteriorated because the spreader bolt was loose which allowed a lot of motion of the spreaders that wore through the original shims. As a temporary measure, before I was able to obtain the proper shims from Stan, I used a part that I found at a local hardware store called a "toilet shim". I have attached a photo. This worked for a season until I installed the factory parts.
Chris



Spreader Shim.jpg

On 8/6/2022 12:34 PM, Chris Geankoplis wrote:
> There is an important piece of hardware between the two spreaders.  Inside
> the mast, there is a thick aluminum ferrule that prevents the long single
> bolt that joins the two spreaders together, from compressing the mast if it
> is over-tightened or the vectored forces of the rig compress the walls of
> the mast at this point.  Well I assume that is its function.  This is the
> case for my '83 mast,  Though as I write this is it possible I am thinking
> of my 1976 mast.  Damn!  I Think I'm getting old.  Can someone confirm or
> debunk this memory? Not sure if this can be retro-fitted at this juncture
> or how critical it really is, especially with the extra plates welded on.
> Be sure to use an galvanic isolation compound anywhere SS is in contact
> with Aluminum.  I think you made the right decision to fix the mast the way
> you did, now you can begin enjoying the joy of sailing a Rhodes.
>
> Chris Genakoplis
> Zenos
>
> On Sat, Aug 6, 2022 at 10:07 AM Stephen Staum <snstaum at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Congratulations on your mast repair!  I was thinking about you guys and am
>> glad to hear you are making progress.
>> A plastic washer/spacer goes up against the mast to prevent abrasion and
>> bimetallic corrosion.  I think you can find something at a good hardware
>> store.  Call me to discuss if you wish.  Let me know when you are ready to
>> raise the mast and launch.
>>
>> *Thanks and Stay Well,*
>>
>> *Stephen Staum*
>> *s/v Pinafore*
>>
>> *Needham, MA*
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 6, 2022 at 9:35 AM Tony Jonaitis via Rhodes22-list <
>> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Finally, the mast came back!  There were two holes/rips around the
>>> spreader holders, and a plate was welded over those rips.  Apparently
>> there
>>> needs to be something between the aluminum mast and the steel spreader
>>> holders.  Could someone explain this to me?  And can I make it myself?
>>> Thanks, everybody..Unfortunately, my photos of the mast repair will not
>>> upload, but you can see them on the facebook Rhodes site.
>>>
>>>