rawhide on gaff

[Stump]

:? I think this is right. soak the hide to make it soft. Nail to gaff. let dry and it shrinks to fit. right :? :?

[Barry Pyeatt]

Sometimes! If you are using rawhide, it may tend to scratch up the surface more than not using it. Rawhide gets very hard and brittle.

A heavy tooling leather that is kept conditioned by regular applications of neatsfoot oil or leather dressing will remain pliable and allow the gaff to ride along without scratching or damaging the underlying surface. These are soaked and then pulled or streached to conform and then generally secured with ties. The ties are laced thru holes punched into the edges of the leather. Like the holes punched into belts. The ties can be leather or synthetic lacing materials.

An easier way is to wrap the mast with leather in the area where the greatest wear is going to be experienced. It can be glued on. A great many traditional boats simply used heavy canvas or oil skin wrapped around the mast in that area. Easily changed and effective.

[Bob Taylor]

I used leather on mine, seems to work well. Here's a link to Terry's site where there is a picture:

http://groups.msn.com/sandbarsanddriftwood/vacationer.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=225