Spreader boot material

[GILow]

Hi all,

We’ve got to make up some new spreader boots. Looking for suggestions on which material to use.

I’ve seen lots of references to leather but I’m not sure what sort.

Also, the new standing rigging is synthetic, not sure if that changes things.

Matt

[JPA Cate]

It doesn't really matter what kind of leather. if you have a leather wholesaler in your area, they often have bins of offcuts. Buy something you think is okay for color, the thickest they have available. Or, go to an abattoir, and get some raw cow hide. It will shrink into very tight fitting spreader boots (as we discovered when they failed some years after we got our present boat). Leather from sheep will work, too, but we mostly use cow hide, by preference.

Our source has been East Coast Leather in Capalaba, Qld, but there probably is some source of leather in your neck of the woods.

When you go to sew them on, make sure they are tight, each stitch stretching the leather a little. A medium sized sail needle, sharp, is what you want. We have a little tool that cuts sewing holes in the leather, it works well, and if you draw your sewing line onto the back of the leather, you will get nice neat seams. Usually use a herringbone stitch.


Ann

[GILow]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

It doesn't really matter what kind of leather. if you have a leather wholesaler in your area, they often have bins of offcuts. Buy something you think is okay for color, the thickest they have available. Or, go to an abattoir, and get some raw cow hide. It will shrink into very tight fitting spreader boots (as we discovered when they failed some years after we got our present boat). Leather from sheep will work, too, but we mostly use cow hide, by preference.

Our source has been East Coast Leather in Capalaba, Qld, but there probably is some source of leather in your neck of the woods.

When you go to sew them on, make sure they are tight, each stitch stretching the leather a little. A medium sized sail needle, sharp, is what you want. We have a little tool that cuts sewing holes in the leather, it works well, and if you draw your sewing line onto the back of the leather, you will get nice neat seams. Usually use a herringbone stitch.


Ann

Thanks Ann, great description, though we are a little surprised by your advice to get the thickest leather available?