Pitch 'em
Hi,
I believe that what you have are known as "lifter stays". They are an artifact of the days of bolt-on wooden spreaders which, because they were horizontal, needed some means of opposing the downward vector caused by the angle of the shrouds over them. If your spreaders can be bumped up to bisect that angle, they will be in pure compression, which translates to less buckling loads, better aerodynamics, and a more pleasing appearance. A series of Double Constrictor knots above and below, positioned right next to each othere and pulled very tight, or a Clamptite seizing, with monel wire, will be all that is needed; you should be able to jump up and down on the outboard ends and not budge the spreaders. Seize during tuning, after you are sure where the spreaders need to be. A separate seizing or mechanical keeper will hold the spreaders from drifting out laterally.
Lifter stays are an expensive, windage-y way to hold the spreaders up. You'll still need them if you have a gaff schooner, with horizontal spreaders and the 1/4-lifts mounted partway out, but not on an Alajuela.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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