Sausage, headsail, foredeck bags...

[groundhog]

.... and any other options that I don't know about.

I have hanked on sails and am looking for a solution that will allow me to sail more often and easier. This would be for dacron sails.

Also, I can't seem to find any info on these things on the web. Also did a search on this site and didin't come up with much.

I have also heard these bags called sail ready bags.

Thanks,
gh

[Idiens]

I not sure what you mean. Roller furling is the usual way to ease headsail handling.

I have kept a storm jib hanked on a baby stay, sheeted and bagged at the foot of the stay, ready to go, but that was a normal sail bag tied down.

I have also played with the idea of those headsails rolled around their own fibre stay. They are hoisted as a sausage and then unrolled (and rolled again) with a continuous line. But I was advised that they are a bit labour intensive, they have to go up and down fast to avoid trouble, so are used by racing crews.

[RhodesSwiftsure]

Sailrite sells kits for various sizes of foredeck bags. I've built two with a medium powered sewing machine, and they work very well. Nice to keep hanked on sails out of lockers but protected, and always ready to yank up in case of engine failure, etc. Url is:

www-dot-sailrite-dot-com/Categories/Foredeck-Bag

About the only drawback is that it is sometimes a little difficult to get the zipper started when you're leaning over the front of the forestay on a pitching deck. But all in all a great way to go.

[groundhog]

THanks for the link.

What are the pros and cons of using a foredeck bag versus a sausage bag?
Someone told me in passing that they prefered a sausage bag, but I got no further details.

rb

[Faster]

A zippered sausage bag will allow you to stow the sail in a ready-to-hoist manner, being able to attach tack, head and sheets while the sail is contained. The zipper closer pulls through and beyond the end of one half, allowing the sail to "rip open" the zipper as it goes up. It's a neat racer's trick usually used with luff tape sails, but you could probably adapt it to hanked sails too.

The downside is that you really need a couple of people flaking the sail into the open bag as it comes down so we're talking more bodies to quickly and easily stow it.

If by 'foredeck' bag you mean the type that you stuff a still-hanked on sail and the bag ties/closes around the headstay, the sausage bag is kinder to the sail since you're less likely to simply "bunch" the sail into the bag. But they too could be designed to allow the sail to be left on and sheets attached so the sail is ready to hoist once the bag's off..

[Plumper]

I prefer the bag that hangs by the stay to the sausage bag. I found the sausage bag always in the way when the sails were down. The other kind lifts up and out of the way. The sausage bag also traps a lot of dirt and grime on the deck instead of letting it wash over the side.

[groundhog]

Is sailrite the only place to get these bags?
Or can you order them with new sails from the sailmaker?

I am frustrated because I want to click on links, see features to compare. I'm going to order one of these and I don't even know much about what they look like.

[heinzir]

Here are some pictures of the headsail bags on my 23' cutter Chiquita. These are the third set I have made for this boat over the last 30+ years. I made the first set from kits from Sailrite. The second and third sets were made from scratch. I bought the materials from Sailrite; they are also available on ebay.

The covers remain attached to the stays when sailing. The tops are held closed with turn-button fasteners, with Velcro between the turn-buttons. If I undo just the turn buttons before setting out, the sail will remain in the bag which is held closed by the Velcro. The sail pops right out when the halyard is raised.

Covers1 pictures from sailing photos on webshots
Mooring pictures from sailing photos on webshots


West Marine sells similar generic headsail bags:
West Marine: Headsail Bags Product Display

Hope this helps.

Henry
Chiquita

[heinzir]

Here is a link to ebay listings for jib bags:

Search results for Sailing Hardware & Gear bag in Boat Parts, Accessories & Gear

Henry
Chiquita

[groundhog]

Henry... SWEEEEEEEEEET!
Those headsail bags look very nice.

So to get one like yours, you order the kit from sailrite and then modify it?
Just add the clasps and velcro?
gh