Extruded spreaders?

[Tedd McHenry]

I have a TES 246 Versus. Until recently, I assumed that the spreaders were made from an extrusion. But then I decided to make a CAD model of the spreaders and discovered that they are tapered along their length. Now, I understand that in theory such a taper is good for strength to mass ratio. But when I put my manufacturing engineer's hat on I think, "Can it possibly be worth the cost compared to an extrusion? Particularly when the same extrusion could probably be used on umpteen different boats."

What am I missing? Why would TES go to the expense of making tapered spreaders? Or am I wrong and there's a way to make tapered spreaders that is as cheap or cheaper than an extrusion? (Hard for me to believe, but I'm willing to entertain the possibility.)

 

[jehardiman]

Who made the mast? I doubt TES did. A spar manufacturer making thousands of stock spreaders could afford the pressing/drawing cost to taper the spreaders as weight aloft is a purchase decision.

 

[Tedd McHenry]

Who made the mast? I doubt TES did. A spar manufacturer making thousands of stock spreaders could afford the pressing/drawing cost to taper the spreaders as weight aloft is a purchase decision.

Thanks, @jehardiman . I'm sure you're right, but that really just kicks the question up a level: Why does it make business sense for the spreader manufacturer to make tapered spreaders? (Given that the volume discount also applies to extruded spreaders, so extruded will still be cheaper.)

I decided to look at some actual spreader prices. It looks like manufacturers tend to make both extruded and tapered spreaders. The tapered spreaders are about 50 percent more for the same size, which fits nicely with the volume-discount theory. Interestingly, the extruded spreaders seem to be limited to the smaller sizes. So, I'm guess that the price difference is crucial for smaller (and presumably much less expensive) boats while builders of larger boats are willing to pay the higher price for the advantages of the tapered style. Presumably, there's a significant marketing factor: How are buyers of sailboats priced well into six figures going to feel about not having tapered spreaders?

None of that is surprising to me. What is surprising is that my boat, while not cheap, is certainly not an expensive boat (being only 7.5 m) yet still has the more expensive spreaders. I found that an interesting design choice.

 

[philSweet]

Traditionally, spreaders were wood, and they were all tapered. So it is partly a skeumorph in that it is the expected aesthetic. Also, if you have to make a couple custom bases and three or four tips for each extrusion, you haven't really saved anything.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeuomorph​

 

[Tedd McHenry]

...skeuomorph...

Lovely word, that--thanks!

 

[gonzo]

Thanks, @jehardiman . I'm sure you're right, but that really just kicks the question up a level: Why does it make business sense for the spreader manufacturer to make tapered spreaders? (Given that the volume discount also applies to extruded spreaders, so extruded will still be cheaper.)

It makes sense because race boats need the weight and drag reduction. Cruising boats, like regular cars, have pseudo race elements for marketing.