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Old 16-11-2006, 14:10   #1
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Location: Treasure Island, FL
Boat: Columbia, Sloop, 45
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Almost disaster

Don't know if this is best place to post this but here goes:
Wanted to take new g/f out for a sail a few weekends ago so set everything in motion to get underway on sunday. I knew my anchor light was out so climbed the mast and got it changed. On way down, I noticed a discolored spot on my stbd spreader. I did a little poking and found some "soft" wood. I put it on my list to check extensively and/or replace but didn't think it structural.

Anyway, went out for a great sail on sun without incident. Had 20-25 kts wind and really got moving. Just an absolutely perfect day. Got back into the marina and as I was tidying up noticed that I had in fact broken my spreader. I shudder to think of the consequences if I had lost the shroud under sail.

Never again will I take that kind of chance intentionally.
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Joel Wilkins
Treasure Island, FL
m/s Miss Magoo, Columbia 45, #98
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Old 16-11-2006, 17:47   #2
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Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky
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Aloha Joel,
Great story. I have come to the realization that if you think there might be a problem there is.
Kind Regards,
JohnL
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Old 16-11-2006, 18:13   #3
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Now's a good time to change to composite or metal spreaders.
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Old 16-11-2006, 20:43   #4
Kai Nui
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I have heard that spreader failure is the leading cause of catastrophic rig failure.
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Old 16-11-2006, 21:08   #5
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Richmond,Va; boat berthed in Deltaville,Va
Boat: Columbia 10.7. 35’
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Spreader failure ( comment)

Joel,
Glad to see another Columbia owner here. I own 3. A Columbia 8.7 and 2 Columbia Sabers.
I want to ask if you'd post your experience on the Columbia owners forum on Yahoo. We've been talking about just this problem recently. Don't know if you're familiar with the group, but it is a really great bunch of folks, and there are several C-45 owners on the list.
Larry Wilson
Richmond,Va.
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