Advice on Keeping Sails Nice

[carl762]

I'm newbie sailing on Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Oregon. Just moved the boat to the Columbia River right by the Portland Airport. There's just tons more wind there than my previous location 15 miles away, so I'm actually getting out during the week after work.

Now that rainy season is upon it, my question: Should I strive to only sail on dry days? Would I ruin my sails if I put them away wet?

They're heavy Dacron, I believe, made by Boston Sail Company. There will be no salt water on these sails, as the boat is a 23 foot Sundance sloop. It's appearing to be a great light wind boat and, in stronger winds, handles like dream. I've been up to over 6mph thus far.

I want to sail all winter, and I really don't want to have to try and wipe the sails dry when getting them put away. I do see the potential for mildew, however. I could occasionally spread them out on the lawn on a dry day and really clean them up, if need be.

Thanks guys/gals for your potential answers. I did search and didn't see anything jump out at me. Thanks again.

[GeorgeB]

Carl, you are absolutely right – molds and mildews are the big enemies of sails. Unfortunately, there are no real shortcuts as these will start to appear in as little as a week, Mildew is the worst as it will grow around the fabric fibers inside the sail and is the devil to get out. Try to wipe out the excess water in a flaked mainsail using something like a synthetic chamois. Air out the sails as soon as you can. Dacron is a pretty sturdy fiber so you can use a bleach solution to both kill them and to take out the worse of the staining. If you have nylon, like a spinnaker, you will need to take it home and air dry in the garage. They absolutely don’t like to be stored wet for any length of time.

[carl762]

Thanks for your response. I will NOT sail when it rains. If I get caught, I will do as you say, maybe occasionally take them home to the park's lawn a block away and really clean them up. They're in great shape and I want to keep them that way.

I wonder about all these roller furler boats out there.

Well, at least I'm close to the boat (10-15 min), and can get in some quick sailing in between monsoons.

Thanks again.

[GeorgeB]

I try to “air dry” as much as possible by leaving them up after I’ve arrived back at the slip which usually does the trick (damp is better than dripping wet). I do take them down once or twice a year and give them a good cleaning (with a little bleech for the dacron). As I have invested a considerable fortune in my sails, I work at keeping them clean and stain free. Take heart, it could be worse, it is impossible to get mold out from between the layers of a laminate sail. I do not leave my laminate genoas furled over the week during the winter. For most of the winter, I am compelled to use my dacron where I’m not afraid to nuke’em with a little bleech now and then.

[carl762]

George, I don't want mold. I will clean occasionally with bleach if need be. I will air sails out back at the dock and wipe em down before leaving for the day, if I happen to get caught by a storm.

The condition of the sails is essentially new, with one small area of staining around the mainsail's outhaul, where it looks like some oil stained it. I'll try and clean and bleach er out sometime. I still haven't taken the 150 out of the bag, same for Spinaker. They look brand new. I'll hold off using them until I'm a little more skilled.

Supposed to rain non-stop for the next week. I'm going to suffer sailing withdrawals.

[Minnewaska]

This is a little expensive, but will make mildew a non-issue.

Sailkote Plus prevents sail mildew | Sailmkaing Support Systems

I was referred to these folks by someone who had their all their sails on their Oyster done. First vac washed then sailkoted. They say the kote is slippery and the performance of the sail actually improved, not just looked better.

[Sabreman]

Carl,

Minnewaska is absolutely correct when he indicates that laminates are prone to mold. But dacron is much more forgiving. However, I would recommend against putting a wet sail in a bag since there is no airflow. Roller furlers are a different beast and are far less prone to mold when used with a dacron sail.

Minnewaska is also correct when he says that sails should be taken down; we remove our sails for the winter, hose them off, and hang them to dry from the garage eave. When we had smaller sails, we put them in the jacuzzi with laundry soap, rinsed, and then hung to dry. The sails are then folded for the winter and stored in the attic. Do not store sails on the boat in winter if you can avoid it. In decades of sailing, we've had a mold problem with just one sail - the one in my avatar - which is a laminate. That sail has since been retired.

Don't worry about sailing in rain. The boat is made to be used. Dacron is great stuff. Most lofts can clean your sails if you don't have the room (or jacuzzi).

[carl762]

Nice. Currently attempting to find prices. Heard this stuff is good for spraying on the sail lugs, allowing a smoother sail pull up and down the mast.

Hmm, all I'm seeing is spray cans, when I saw it was recommended you use a High Volume Low Pressure air sprayer to apply it.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by Sabreman

...... Most lofts can clean your sails if you don't have the room (or jacuzzi).

True, but I've found that many, if not most, send them out. Probably varies by region. Best to research where they go and you might skip the middle man upcharge.

[carl762]

Don't worry about sailing in rain. The boat is made to be used. Dacron is great stuff. Most lofts can clean your sails if you don't have the room (or jacuzzi).

Sabreman:
Cool. I want to use the boat all year. Of course, if and when the snows come, it won't be all that attractive to sail and I'll pull the sails home. I have a garage-type shop with a huge work table in the center that would be good for working on the sails. Just have to get used to all the maintenance I'm going to have to do to keep my boat sweet as she is, for a 79 boat.

I have the sailing bug bad, and just made friends with a fellow who just bought a Catalina 27 tall rig and lives on board, right next to my slip. He also works at the local Chandlery part time and will be able to get me discounts on stuff like Sailkote. He runs a part-time business doing rigging, line weaves, general halyard and sheet/line work. Dude's awesome.

Minnewaska, I'll be checking into it.

I'm learning tons every day. Thanks. I'm going to work on boat tonight, installing a gimballed single burner stove, then take her out for a sail tomorrow and Sunday, in between the showers.