by jeadstx » Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:24 pm
I have the turnbuckle boots, the plastic covers on the side stays (below the spreaders), and the spreader boots on my boat. The spreader boots need the wire on to hold the stay in the slot on the spreader. This last summer before the start of the Texas 200, I broke a spreader. When I replaced it with an older spare spreader I had with me, I didn't have enough wire to properly secure the stay to thje spreader. The boot, even tho it was taped when I put it back on, popped off the end of the spreader while sailing when the wire came loose underneath. The stay stayed close to the spreader end, but caused some problems every day we sailed since I didn't have any wire to secure it properly.
I like having the turnbuckle boots and the stay covers as well. I have had (on older stays) a single wire stick out and cut my had if I grab a stay, the cover prevents that. The turnbuckle boot helps to prevent chaffing on the sail and helps keep anything snagging on the turnbuckle. The spreader boot helps prevent chaffing the sail on the spreader.
John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas