I don't think I've ever had spreader boots on my boat. I've always used rigging tape on my spreaders. So I decided to make some boots out of some thick leather that I had purchased from a native American about a year ago at a local Pow Wow. I was going to use the leather to make a knife case for one of my large Bowie Knives, but didn't want to start the project because I've never really worked with leather, and I was afraid I was going to screw it up. I took a piece of heavy colored paper and folded it over the stay at the spreader and drew a rough sketch of what the boot should look like, taking into account of making the boot large enough to butt up against itself as it goes around the spreader. Then, I folded the paper twice and only had to make one cut with the scissors. After that, I took the pattern and put it on the spreader to make sure that it was going to fit. When I got it the way I wanted it, I transfered the pattern on to the leather with a pen and cut it out. When I got the leather boots cut out, I soaked them in very hot water and taped them temporarily to my spreaders until they dried. Then I took the tape off the conformed leather boots, and marked the leather with my pen for the holes. I punched out the holes with a small leather punch and a hammer. Tomorrow I'll soak the leather again and sew the boots to the spreaders. I suppose that I could have gone to West Marine and bought some rubber boots for my spreaders, but I had a great time making my own, and I'm also getting acquainted with a new useful craft. Joe
