...I took the advice of the list and ended up going to "Running's" and picked up some bushing's.
Key is keeping a "buffer" between aluminum mast and SS spreader sets. Bob
ORION ''84

-----Original Message-----
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of THOMAS POLISE via Rhodes22-list
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2022 2:59 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] spreader shims

When I got my boat they didn’t have spreader shims.  Any idea on where to get them and exactly what they are?

> On Aug 8, 2022, at 2:04 PM, Chris on LBI <cknell at vt.edu> wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
> 
>> 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.
>>>> 
>>>> 
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