Spreader Boots - Hunter 34

[pkabel66]

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...talogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=306011

Considering the Taylor-Made boots for my spreaders this upcoming seasons. new boat to me, second year, and giving up the jib for a 150 genoa. Any other input on Spreader Boots, other than wrapping sailcloth. I have looked at the Hollandmarine product, and actually bought a couple for comparison. But when I go up the mast in a few weeks, I will have my tape and ____ boots at the ready.

What are others doing?

Phil
1984 Hunter 34

 

[Richard Bryer]

New boots are a winter project for me. I have used a home made set made with rubber from tile baseboard and duct tape- then covered with white tape. I have one spreader at home- they are all the same size at the end. I can take measurements for you if you need them- let me know what you need. I am contemplating using the materal from an old fender (white) for new ones but have not made the pattern yet

 

[a65sailor]

The folks at Mac Sails suggest elk hide. There is a company that makes them but I am not sure who it is.

 

[pkabel66]

Yes, I would very much appreciate knowing those measurements. No plan to take the mast down this summer. Thank you.

 

[Richard Bryer]

Hear are the measurements of my spreader: please excuse the crude annotations!

 

[pkabel66]

Perfect. Just what I was looking for. Phil

 

[Dan Johnson]

Don't have spreader boots on my H34. Richard, is there a reason for yours?

 

[pkabel66]

Don't have spreader boots on my H34. Richard, is there a reason for yours?

I found these online at www.hollandmarine.com. Page 252 of the online catalog. They are 4 inch wide (large). I think that with some tape, this may do what I want it to do.

 

[Richard Bryer]

so the sail doesn't rub against the end of the spreaders- especially the cotter pins and the pin end.

PK- those MAY work but because they are not square on the end, I think you may find they don't extend below the shroud hole enough to tape them. Good luck returning them to HMP - see my Google review for HMP.

 

[wileaway]

wileaway

The folks at Mac Sails suggest elk hide. There is a company that makes them but I am not sure who it is.

The easy cheap & best thing is simpliely take a medium size wiffle ball ,cut a hole in it and tape it on the spreader. I ve never had any problems with things catching on it or any chafing

 

[splax]

Mr. Bryer, I am impressed with your spreader boot expertise. Doesn't the mast need to be unstepped to put these on?

wileaway, I like your solution.

 

[Richard Bryer]

Thanks Splax- born of 12 years of taking the mast down each fall and putting it back up each spring. You could put boots on with the mast up if the boots are split on the top and bottom so you can open them and slide them on from the end of the spreaders. I have attached a crude drawing. The view in the drawings is from the top or bottom- the wider flat side.

 

[heart of gold]

I think you may find that the 150 will be a little much for the H34. I've gone through this decision myself in the past and when I get my new genny, I will take my sailmakers advice. It will be a 130, with foam luff tape, high modulus cloth around 7weight. I have an old 133 and up to 13 to 14 knots true it is great, after that, I'm rolling it up a bit. When you look on line for used sails, the most prolific sail found are the big ones in good condition. Just sayin'

 

[Dan Johnson]

Richard...

Don't use 'em as I don't sheet in the headsail all the way to the spreader without sail patches to protect it.

On the boats I race on we sheet in to within a foot of the spreaders to prevent chafe. Careful bending and taping of any cotter pin issue is what we've done to keep the slot "aerodynamic" and other cotter pin locations "clean".

I don't like boots as they could hold water and cause crevice corrosion.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Re: Richard...

I'm with Heart of Gold on the 150. Unless you get a very light material, the sail will be too heavy for light winds, and because you'll need to furl early, your sail is not going to be efficient in heavier winds. I am absolutely delighted with the 130 my loft was smart to recommend, with the foam luff. The 34 is tender and whenever the wind pipes up above 17 kn, I am happy to be able to furl down to about a 110 and still keep a good shape. For lighter winds I have had a lot od fun running an asymmetrical even when sailing single handed, which is most of the time. As for the spreader boots, I do not use them. I have had patches stiched on my main that run the full length of the top and bottom spreaders, on both side. It has worked well for me but I am careful to keep the sail away from the spreaders. I will also tell you that because of the 30° swept-back spreaders, DDW is the least effective point of sail on the 34. You simply cannot put the sail flat against the spreaders and hope to keep moving without spilling your power.