Best tips on spreader boots/tips?

[Dennis Boyd]

Hello Guys,

We are close to getting Jaywalker back in the water.    Mast has been inspected, repaired (minor), painted spreaders, replace all internal wires,  and I decided to replace all the standing rigging and roller furler, main halyard sheave pin.    Also, replace chainplates and I have the new milled gooseneck from Newport Rigging. 

Thank you to everyone's help.  

As we complete the build, I am wondering what is consider the best practice for spreader tips.   Tape?  Boots?   Cut boots?  leather?      Thanks for everyone's help. 

Dennis

J/42 #6

Jaywalker

[Patrick Powers]

I had Jay Herman at Annapolis Rigging put elk hide on them. It looks terrific, will breathe, and matches the helm!

Patrick

PATRICK POWERS

J/42 #60

Anoria 

Annapolis

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From: j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dennis Boyd <dennis....@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 1, 2026 12:39 PM
To: J/4X Owner's Group <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [J/4X-owners] Best tips on spreader boots/tips?

 

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[Chris Leo]

I have never gotten Annapolis Rigging to pick up the phone or respond to any of my emails, despite being the Lewmar dealer in the area. Never dealt with them, someone told me Lewmar is a disaster these days so maybe that’s the specific reason. 

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[Rod Deyo]

We used various spreader boots over the years. Leather is really nice and when stiched well is compact and very durable, but spreader boots of any sort can trap pollutants that cause crevice corrosion in the rod rigging. We had to replace  both upper shrouds on our J/42 because of pitting (likely from limited rain and heavy diesel polution from commercial ships in Mexico). 

What has worked better is just wrapping teflon rigging tape around the spreader end so that it drains completly. The tape lasts several years and is easy to replace.

Rod Deyo

J/42 Northern Lights (#61)

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[Dennis Boyd]

Guys, 

This is great.     Since I think I am going  to store indoors next season,  I would hate to have to cut off the leather.  (our yard stripes the rigs down, removing speaders).   But I would love the look.         I heard that the rubber can trap moisture and dirt/salt and that some folks then cut off ends.  

I like the simplicty of tape.   Have you a preferred brand?  Width?

Dennis

J/42  #6

Jaywalker  

[Wayne Cassady]

We have Forespar spreader rollers and tape. Helps the No 1 through a tack.

 

Sent from my iPhone

On May 2, 2026, at 8:52 AM, Dennis Boyd <dennis....@gmail.com> wrote:

Guys, 

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[Stephen Ulman]

I just replaced the standing rigging, and my rigger used patches of fire engine hose, probably because one of the guys on his staff is a retired firefighter. Allegedly his customers who are racers are asking for it because of the low windage. Not sure I believe that, but I like the price, the creative solution and the ex-firefighter who does the work. Will report at the end of the season.

Steve Ulman

J/42 #20

Finezza Veloce (formerly Finesse)

[Dennis Boyd]

Fire hose?   The canvas stuff?    Ok, I am interested.    Do you have any pictures?

thanks for idea,   

Dennis

[Dennis Boyd]

Wayne, 

Thanks I looked up the forespar solution.   might work on upper spreader, but not sure how it would work on lowers were I have two shrouds passing thru.    How does that work on a J / 40?

Dennis

[gale...@gmail.com]

I have been using leather spreader boots for the last 10 yrs. I cut the stitching each fall and re-sew in spring when I re-step the mast. No big deal but it does take a little time. Does a nice job and works fine with multiple shrouds on the J42.

Galen

J42 Tango

[Stephen Ulman]

Yes, the canvass stuff. Fire departments replace their hoses annually. You should be able to get the material for free from your local fire department. In our case, the product was brand new because state regs required the department to increase hose size after the annual purchase. So, the fire house had rolls of new unusable hoses to give away. Low price, low maintenance, low windage. I owe you some photos.

Steve Ulman

J/42 Finezza Veloce (AKA Finesse)

[Dennis Boyd]

Stephen,   well I am interested.  I my neighbor is local fire chief,   I am sure I could get some hose scraps.  Curious about pattern?   Is is like over the counter leather offerings?  And then just sewn on?  

I also recently found some velcro leather ones. 

Amazon.com: Waterline Design: Spreader boot.    There is this option and then I found some knock off's 

Which have some appeal due to marketed ease to install / remove.    Has anyone had any sucess with the "Waterline" style?

I am going to measure the spreaders next week.     We are racing to launch in less than 3 weeks and then the refit continues on the water.....   

Dennis