How can it not? Both my last main and genoa had chafe patches installed. But the large radius of these are worth saving, so looking for the least chafing covering. They get knocked around a lot. When I remove and install the spreaders each fall/spring, they hoops stick in the gravel(sometimes violently!), keeping the mast from rolling over as I do various operations.

I'll look in the leather idea, maybe it would be worth it. Ideally, it should be very slippery material.