2) The assembly also features an improved method of attaching the lower
shrouds to the mast. When the castings were used, the lower shrouds hung from one end of a pin extending from the inside of a cast tab on the bracket. The uneven load on the tab sometimes causes a failure of the tab and complete loss of support to the mast from the lower shroud. Our retrofit includes inner and outer
tangs which are bent concentric with the original oval mast. The eye at the top of the lower shroud is inserted between the two tangs. A pin passes through all three parts and the load is supported evenly between the two tangs.
3) The method of attaching the brackets (and therefore securing the lower shrouds to the mast) are also vastly improved. The casting was originally fastened with six self tapping screws. In fact, an early factory stainless retrofit was also fastened with these same six screws. However, it is not unusual for the screws to pull out of the mast, sometimes resulting in the complete loss of the rig. Our new retrofit is fastened to the mast with two very secure through bolts.
If your boat has the old aluminum brackets, replace them before you have to replace your entire mast.
