Spreader Boots
 

Hi - I own an older (1973) Catalina 27 in what I'd call fair+ condition. I'm not experienced with repairing standing rigging, but on my last trip out I noticed the boots on the ends of the spreaders appear to have worked loose, and I've been afraid to take her out since. Dumb question: does anyone have an image or a drawing of how that connection works, so that I might figure out whether this is a structural or just a cosmetic problem? I'm not certain if what I'm looking at is just a cover to protect the sails or if it's actually the structural connector.

Without seeing, it is hard to tell, but if they are just the rubber booties that are covering the end of the spreader (to keep the sail from chafing on the spreader) then you should be fine. But if it several years since you had the rig inspected, maybe you should have someone give it the once over and while they are up there, put on some new booties for you.

I think I might. I get the feeling everything has stretched in the past 30 years, and maybe I'm getting more motion than is ideal. I'm on Vashon, so Port Townsend is kind of a trek -- can anyone recommend someone down this end of the sound (Commencement bay, Tacoma, Vashon) that could inspect and tighten things up correctly?