spreader boots

[matts997]

I have a newly purchased H280. Spreader chafe has worn a small hole in the mainsail, which is getting repaired along with chafe patches added. Would spreader boots also be a good idea and if so, which ones? There are several different types/manufacturers and consumer reviews are mixed about their effectiveness.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[JohnCTV21]

I have always had them. Haven't noticed any sail wear issues on the spreaders.

Just replaced the old plastic ones with leather.

 

[woodster]

i am sitting here thinking if one was to use the rubber covers then cover them with leather covers it would be the best combination

 

[JohnCTV21]

Leather is like wood, it likes ventilation and oil

 

[matts997]

I had a further thought: are spreader boots necessary to protect the sail if one has a chafe patch sewn on the mainsail?

These boots have received a couple good reviews and don't require rigging tape to secure to the spreader:

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/taylor-made--spreader-boots--P002_065_007_507

 

[JohnCTV21]

If your spreaders caused enough damage to cause a repair, I would do something about the root cause and cover the spreaders.

No experience with those, but I'm sure they are better then what your using now

 

[Stu Jackson]

I had a further thought: are spreader boots necessary to protect the sail if one has a chafe patch sewn on the mainsail?

If it's sharp enough to cut the sail, one would venture to guess it'd be sharp enough to cut the chafe patch, first, and then eventually the sail.

One solution is to run a smaller jib. Our 110 is our big jib (85 the other) and neither gets anywhere near our spreaders, which have no boots.