I am in the process of replacing the standing rigging on my Alberg 35 (new wire and Hayn turnbuckles/comp terminals). I've gotten everything sorted out except for the lower shroud tangs. The four lowers were originally 7/32 wire and I plan to replace with the same. The current setup consists of through-bolted (with compression tubes) stainless spreader roots with an intergral tang. Double delta plates (if that's the correct terminology) with 1/2" upper clevis holes and 3/8" lower clevis holes (for eye fittings) attach to the integral spreader root tang as shown below.
I would really like to make a stronger/simpler mast attachment for the lowers. The spreader fitting is 1/8" plate and the clevis hole has stretched and deformed a bit as shown below. This was obviously a retrofit as the original Pearson spreader roots were an aluminum casting. I'm not sure how the lowers attached originally. Seems like the 1/8" plate was a bit undersized.
I was wondering if it would be better to cut away the integral spreader fitting tang and fabricate tangs of ~3/16"x1" stainless flat bar and attach directly to lower spreader fitting bolt which is 1/2". I would then use the Hayn toggle forks rather than eyes. Seems like a simpler and stronger solution. I was thinking of doing something like pictured below (courtesy of
www.bristol29.com) or possibly making a solid triangle plate from flat bar rather than the two separate straps.
Does this sound like a viable option or should I stick with the current config and fabricate heavier spreader fittings?