Leatherprotection of booms and spars against chafing.

[Willemvdv]

I want to protect the varnish on some of my spars with leather. Also the chocks for the main boom need to be replaced. Can someone help me in the the way how to do?
Prepartion of the leather for instance?
All advice welcome. Thanks... Willem

 

[Tranona]

The leather to use is what is known here as "chromed" leather - a silvery grey colour. Traditional sail makers are a good source. Soak it so that it is pliable and stretch around the spar. Hold down with copper tacks. For a really smooth finish scrape away the ends so they fit together like a scarph, but a well made butt join is just as effective but not quite as neat.

 

[Keith 66]

Rather than use copper tacks i use leather stitched on. you need to cut it just short of a perfect butt joint & use heavy waxed whipping twine with two sail needles working from both sides as you go. Soak the leather first & the gap will shut as the stitches are pulled tight.

 

[Peterduck]

Stitching leather (the preferred method for oar looms) requires a couple of specilised instruments available from craft shops. A small star wheel (like a sprocket) to mark evenly spaced holes in the leather. The holes are then punched through with a nail sharpened to a chisel point. Sew all the stitches in loosely at first, and then go back and tighten them up, working the thread through to the end, finishing with a reef knot.
When leathering a boom gallows, cut the edge of the leather in small semi-circles where the copper nails will be placed. If the circles are small enough, only one copper tack per circle will suffice. Select leather which is smooth on one side, not the split hide which is rough on both sides.
Peter.

 

[Willemvdv]

Thanks gentlemen, for your info. I'll try.
Peterduck: what do you mean with cutting the edge of the leather in small semi-circles and put a copper nail.
Willem

 

[chart5011]

Not wanting to put holes in my boom gallows I used epoxy to glue the leather into place. This was three years ago and has worked well.
I have just made some new legs and have leathered them in the same way. So far so good.