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.