Removing foresail-stowing for winter

[Rockter]

Speedagent...

It's on page 1034, 1123 and 1789 of Tolstoy's War and Peace and Sailboats. You should know that.

Whilst you are searching for it, I will tell you.

Taking a foresail down is an absolute gift, and it will take about 2 minutes if dry, and about 10 if wet (and not raining). You simply unfurl the sail and let it dry for a wee while. It does not take too long. Now send a man to the bow to stop it falling into the drink, and lower the foresail by loosening the foresail halyard. As the sail falls, the man at the bow catches it then you both stuff it into a sailbag. You then take the sailbag home to your garden and fold the sail a bit better. If it has been raining, dry it in your front room for a day or two first (no wife around).

The Harken will look after itself all winter. Don't try to take it down unless you have to. It is easy to bend the "foils" and they are expensive. You will also have to disturb the forestay and leave the mast wobbling about. Just leave it

Second question : I just scrub them with a big brush and some mild detergent. Laundering sails is very expensive. I don't bother with that one.

Third question : If acetone won't shift it, in my experience nothing will.

Be good....

Rockter.

[SpeedAgent]

"Tolstoy originally wanted to name the book '"War....what is it good for?"'

Thanks for the description-you explained it to me like I don't know what I'm doing and it absolutely made sense. Cheers!

Maybe I can get up to the boat tomorrow to bring it home.

Thanks everybody,

Chris

[retclt]

Originally Posted by SpeedAgent

"Tolstoy originally wanted to name the book '"War....what is it good for?"'

Thanks for the description-you explained it to me like I don't know what I'm doing and it absolutely made sense. Cheers!

Maybe I can get up to the boat tomorrow to bring it home.

Thanks everybody,

Chris

I see somebody is getting into the spirit of Festivus!

[SpeedAgent]

It's time for the "airing of grievences"

[rrh]

Speed Agent,
A really good solvent is Goof Off. I wouldn't use it on anything but metal as a rule though. It will take off paint quicker than lacquer thinner. I find it takes off stuff that acetone won't. I found it at Home Depot. Probably available in other hardware and home improvement stores. I don't know if it was on this forum or another but I remember someone saying it would even melt 3M 5200. I haven't tried it on that yet. It worked for me on 3M 4200. It might be worth a try but be careful. It will eat what it touches. It is strong. Use it with GOOD ventilation also. Might be worth a try.

Richard

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Lower the halyard, and pull the sail down. The luff should have a wire "bolt rope" that is fed into the foil on the Harken furler. Unclip the tack and head of the sail from the furler and halyard swivel, untie the sheets from the clew, and flake it.

Is it just me or
didn't we forget to mention "Unfurl the Sail."
I can't lower my sail if its still wrapped around the forestay.
I know it maybe understood for most of us, but the OP has expressed is complete newbie status.

[sailortjk1]

Also, I was going to add, Call the "Moyel".

[rrh]

Rockter said, "You simply unfurl the sail..."

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by rrh

Rockter said, "You simply unfurl the sail..."

I see that Rocketer did, but the Dog forgot to mention it.
Got to give the Dog crap everytime we can.

[sailingdog]

TJK-

I'm assuming the OP has more brains and common sense than you do...