Thanks Rolf.. no i wasn't going to do it without the d wires...

Darn, I'm so lazy,
but I guess you guys are right. So I jumped on the phone to reach the local agent; he's got those spreaders parts. I will drive tomorrow to his place so I will have spares if I break something next weekend. I guess you guys are much younger than me and I need your drive to fire me up. Thanks
Let's get the show on the road!

Denis

Andrew, why not support the mast where the shrouds meet the forestay? That might simulate a tight windward shroud anyway, allowing the top of the mast to move as it would "normally" rather than supporting the mast at its tip..?

seems logical to me..

Jay, can you drive up to Dunedin on Friday afternoon to "give me a hand"?