Importance of cap shrouds being in column ?

[Jon Neely]

Hi guys, currently putting on new chainplates on my HC33. I talked to Brian at this years Strictly sail West bouncing the Idea of mounting external plates made of bronze due to the originals come out of the cap rail and are glassed into the hull. I feel I left with Brian giving me the nod of approval for the idea. Making my jigs out of aluminum plate so I can get all the bends (two of them) perfect on the 3/8'' aluminum bronze plate. While staring at the main cap shroud I noticed under the spreader it take a good turn aft. Now after listening to Brains seminar I am under the impression everything should be in column and this to me seems odd. Now I know our boat is a little different because It has a tabernacle mast which I think its the only one of its kind in the HC line up. So my question is while Im mounting the new plates should I relocate the cap shroud plates so they become in column with the top of the mast. Currently they are about 7'' too far back from having a direct run. I Am attaching some photos to try to show what I am seeing. Seems to me the current design must put a lot of stress on the spreaders.


Cheers,

Jon