Rub rail or protection on spreader

[tms]

Usually I see sails with extra protection sewn in for spreader abrasion protection. Has anyone heard of putting something like a rub rail or other plastic protection of the spreader instead of or in addition to the sail patches?

[boatman61]

Sheepskin off cuts work really well.. cut into a cross then lash to the spreader and wires with whipping or sailmakers twine.. example in picture.
Or there's quickie rubber boots in West Marine..

[barnakiel]

Maybe fine teflon straps, glued on?

You want something super slippery.

I am ok with insignia patches on the sail though.

b.

[UNCIVILIZED]

What you're asking about are spreader boots. You can buy pre-made ones, usually plastic. Though there are kits which let you sew on leather ones. And you can make your own from; leather, plastic, canvas, etc. Or on some boats you'll see small plastic wheels on the shrouds, above each spreader.

Even with spreader boots though, you really do need extra chafe protection on your sails. Sometimes a couple of layers. Such as a sewn on patch on each side, with some insignia cloth overtop of that. Depends on the boat, the sail, plus your level of worry

[JPA Cate]

Hi, TMS,

On the off chance you were asking what to put on the aft ends of the spreaders to make them less abrasive, there is clear pvc with stickum, used in the airplane industry, A64Pilot knows what it's called, he wrote about it the other day with regard to something to use on dinghy davits to prevent tube chafe. "Air erosion tape", for leading edges of wings, radar sensors, etc., some even use clear packaging tape, which isn't as good but is easier to source. You'll be replacing it from time to time, but it's softer on the sail material than the alloy.

Our spreaders have a section of plastic hose, split and glued on, by the previous owner, so I don't know what kind of plastic or glue.

Ann

[StuM]

Baggywrinkle on the shrouds just above and below the spreaders works well too.



But some take it to extremes

[toddedger]

A sailmaker friend taught me how to easily hand stich on several layers of slippery dacron over the spreader ends. He said he learned it from Ted Hood and nothing works better.

[replusted]

I use rollers mounted on the standing rigging just below the spreader tips. They work great.

[AJ_n_Audrey]

I added spreader boots, like these - Taylor Made Rubber Spreader Boots

By TaylorMade

[gradyho]

Replusted, where did you get the rollers? I think they would work great on my boat. Thank you for posting.
Grady

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by replusted

I use rollers mounted on the standing rigging just below the spreader tips. They work great.

I like that idea!

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by StuM

Baggywrinkle

Gosh, love that name!! Never heard it before but what, exactly, is it? Are those just plastic bags tied and bunched up?

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by SV Bacchus

Gosh, love that name!! Never heard it before but what, exactly, is it? Are those just plastic bags tied and bunched up?

Baggywrinkles are usually made from fuzzed up rope. And while they may look neat, if you add a few per side, you'll be wanting to reef while in your slip, the first time a good storm blows through. They have LOTS of windage.

Part of their function was/is to keep sails from being able to touch the rigging at all, especially the main, downwind or reaching. Since before stainless rigging wire, standing rigging was either galvanized, or parcelled & served. Neither being sail cloth friendly. With the former doing nasty things to cloth in about as long as it's taken me to type this sentence. Meaning chafing it to bits. Thus the additions of said Chia Pets to shrouds.

[replusted]

The rollers just below the spreader tips are made by Forespar. I also use them on the upper lifeline next to the stanchion to help get the foot of the genoa over and inboard of the lifeline. Here's the link.
SR-2 Jib Roller

[michaelratinter]

Baggywrinkle -- double a 1/16 inch nylon cord and cow hitch old rope yarns such that the free ends of the yarns fall between the cords.