PROtect tapes SPK User manual

SPK 201909 V1-ENG

Important
Read this document carefully before using SPK.
Support
You can always contact us and find answers to your quesons, as well as instrucons and
informaon on solving technical problems that you may encounter when using the
product.
SPK comes with technical support and a two-year warranty.
For technical support
call [phone] also on WhatsApp or
write us at inf[email protected]om
Recycle
Our recommendaons on the use of our products are based on tests believed to be reliable but
we would advise you to conduct your own test to determine their suitability for your applica-
ons. This is because we cannot accept any responsibility or liability direct or consequenal for
loss or damages as results of our recommendaons.
PATENT PENDING
PROtect tapes e SPK logos are registered trademark of Pietro Parmeggiani S.r.l.
Further informaon
You can find more informaon, watch videos and even learn
how other crews make the most of SPK's features on
hp://www.protect-tapes.com/products/spk
buons user manual carton box
21227 40
screws/nuts
OTHER PAP PAP
FE

Thank you for choosing SPK
The box contains
• 8 buons (A) with double sided adhesive
• 8 buons (B) with double sided adhesive
• 8 screw and nut sets
AB
sewing holes
screw and nut cavity
groove

How to apply SPK buons on the sails
Spread out the dry sail on a dry surface.
Clean both sides of the sails where the buons will be applied, with acetone or alcohol,
and let it dry.
Starng with the head, mark the points where the buons will be applied to the the sail
luff using removable adhesive tape.
The quanty and posion is free, at your discreon, based on the size of the sail,
however we recommend to posion the first buon as close as possible to the head and
the tack.
Just as an example, for a gennaker of a 40’/50’ boat, we recommend eight buons for the
head at a distance of about 1.2m (4’)
One of the parameters to be taken into consideraon when determining the distance
between the buons is the wind range of the sail: if it is a strong wind sail the buons
will be closer while if it is a sail for lighter wind the buons will be more sparse.
For the tack, the number of buons is a related to the length of the bowsprit/pole and
the posion of the sail bag when hoisted.
We recommend a buon every meter (3.3’).
For example, if the distance from the p of the bowsprit to the posion of the sail bag or
from the hatch is four meters, at least four buons are recommended.

Be careful to posion all buons A on the same side of the side of the leech, posioning the
buons B on the opposite side of the same leech. Choose for 1 or 2 or both together.
1. Buons installaon with sewing system
Remove the liner from the buon (A) and glue it as close as possible to the edge of the
sail, without overlapping it on the colored luff tape.
Repeat the operaon with the buon B, on the other side of the sail, making sure that
the holes of the buons A and B coincide; to facilitate the operaon, aer having glued
in buon A, insert two needles in two opposite holes of the buon, turn the sail and
insert the buon B in the two protruding needles and glue.
Sew buons A and B using the appropriate needle and thread.
2. Buons installaon with screw system
Without removing the liner, place the buon A in the desired area and mark the posion
of the hole with a pencil or pen. (no marker pen because the ink expands a lot).
Hole the sail, or make 2 cross-cuts of 3mm with center the sign made.
Aer removing the liner of buon B, posion the buon and insert the screw that will
protrude on the other side of the sail where you will apply, removed the liner, buon A.
Insert the nut in the special cavity of buon A and screw it in place.
Threadlocker between the screw and nut is recommended to prevent loosening.
By choosing this method, the use of sewing is your discreon.
Repeat the operaon for all buons.

Packing the kite
Make sure the sail is clear, spin the enre leech starng from the tack to remove any
twists.
Begin to compact the sail giving the shape of a salami, leaving the leech on the outside
with the buons A.
Arrived at the first buon, wrap the thread* around the throat of buon A, for at least
two turns (clockwise or counterclockwise), then pass the thread around the sail (one turn)
and again around the throat of the buon A for at least two turns in the same direcon
already used for the first two turns (clockwise or counterclockwise).
Repeat the operaon for all buons you wish to use.
Depending on the intensity of the wind, you can decide to use all buons or just some.
Once the sail is lowered, it is advisable to remove the broken sail stops from the groove
before repeang the packing operaon.
However, more packings can be performed without necessarily removing the broken sail
stops.
* to fully embrace our philosophy we recommend our yarn ball SPK003 fully compostable
and biodegradable and do not forget to dispose the yarn into the proper bin.