Does anyone know why most retailers are not selling rubber/pvc spreader boots? Most of what I see are the square "canvas" ones. I currently have these square ones on my boat and am not quite satisfied. This weekend, a hard tack left me with a ripped jib and a detached spreader boot. Can anyone give me a source for the rubber ones?
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Leather boots
defender.com carries leather boots made by Edson. So does the chandlery at this web site. WM carries them, for $10-20 more depending on size.
defender.com carries leather boots made by Edson. So does the chandlery at this web site. WM carries them, for $10-20 more depending on size.
Spreader boots
When I pulled my mast last fall, I thought it would be easy to replace them - NOT! I had a heck of a time finding them, The place that I ebded up getting them from molded trheir own. I don't have the name readily handy, but I can find out. Contact me thru the Owner's web for detaild. But the Related link has the kind I got. Scroll down 1 page and take a look at the BF3-1K and look at the boot portion of it. Are those they type? I have a different source when they may be putchased individually for about $26/ea (either size). http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/Isomat_Spars/Isomat_Spreaders/BF3_spreader.html
When I pulled my mast last fall, I thought it would be easy to replace them - NOT! I had a heck of a time finding them, The place that I ebded up getting them from molded trheir own. I don't have the name readily handy, but I can find out. Contact me thru the Owner's web for detaild. But the Related link has the kind I got. Scroll down 1 page and take a look at the BF3-1K and look at the boot portion of it. Are those they type? I have a different source when they may be putchased individually for about $26/ea (either size). http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/Isomat_Spars/Isomat_Spreaders/BF3_spreader.html
Tough to find
Catalinadirect no longer carries the rubber ones, only leather. I really dont want to sit up there and sew boot on (Hard enough with Mooring line chafe guards.) I saw the ones at rigrite. I may go with them if I can verify the correct size. Still a bit pricey, though. I found some on eBay (Canada). Im still not sure why the rubber ones went away. They seemed pretty simple and lasted a pretty long time. Rob
Catalinadirect no longer carries the rubber ones, only leather. I really dont want to sit up there and sew boot on (Hard enough with Mooring line chafe guards.) I saw the ones at rigrite. I may go with them if I can verify the correct size. Still a bit pricey, though. I found some on eBay (Canada). Im still not sure why the rubber ones went away. They seemed pretty simple and lasted a pretty long time. Rob
It is true -- I have succesfull alternative
This is correct- neither Catalina Direct nor Defender have the "rubber" spreader boots available even though they are in their electronic and paper catalogs. Perhaps the manufacturer is no longer in business. I successfully made a pair of boots for my Catalina 22 by cutting the same pattern the leather boots use out of Hypalon raft material (any waterproof, heavy, strong material should work)and riveted them together around the end of my spreaders by compressing brass rivets, purchase at my local hardware store for less than $3.00, with pliers. You will need a hole punch to make holes in the material for the rivets. This took me less than two hours. JD
This is correct- neither Catalina Direct nor Defender have the "rubber" spreader boots available even though they are in their electronic and paper catalogs. Perhaps the manufacturer is no longer in business. I successfully made a pair of boots for my Catalina 22 by cutting the same pattern the leather boots use out of Hypalon raft material (any waterproof, heavy, strong material should work)and riveted them together around the end of my spreaders by compressing brass rivets, purchase at my local hardware store for less than $3.00, with pliers. You will need a hole punch to make holes in the material for the rivets. This took me less than two hours. JD
Making Your Own 
You can make your own by cutting up a used fender and use the old piece as a model/template. Tape it on and you are "good as gold"!
You can make your own by cutting up a used fender and use the old piece as a model/template. Tape it on and you are "good as gold"!
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