I have these big bronze hoops on the spreader ends and I can't find any info on them. I'm restoring the spreaders and took them off. From the thickness of tape I cut off, it's been at least 20 years since they were stripped, more like 30 years. I don't know if they were simply taped originally or had some sort of padding(I'm not making baggywrinkle...). The hoops are about 6" in diameter and through bolted to the spreaders. I figure they might be easier on the sail than smaller boot ends, so I'll keep them?

This shot was taken just after the new main was installed last season. I can see I need more batten tension(don't you think). I'm also moving the lazy jack turning blocks from the spreaders to cheek blocks installed on the mast, several feet above(hopefully to better contain the aft 4-5 feet of the lower leech and lower batten end).