leave sails or take

[smallboatlover]

i plan on putting my 16' sailboat on it's mooring for the first time friday. now do i leave the sails on the boat or take them? if i leave them on do i put them in a dry storage spot or in a semi dry storage? also do i need to keep them in a dry bag. the sailboat there in right now isn't dry at all it let's water in.

[Boasun]

Take your sails home and stow in a dry place. damp places will cause mildew, mold, and other scary growths.
Leave them on the boat and the boat may sail away with someone's elses hand on the tiller. This you don't want to happen.

[smallboatlover]

i know no one around would take the boat. ive seen people leave there sailboats full rigged ready to go with the main sail in the **** pit and the jib on the furler and just tied off it stayed there for a week before they came back and went for another sail.

[Silvio]

I respectfully disagree with Boasun,
I say leave 'em on the boat.

Where is the boat?
Coordinates would be best, and is there a lock to worry about?
Pics would also be nice.
Pics of the outboard particularly appreciated. Any electronics on board?

(my I am fiesty today)

My point is Boasun gives good advice,

[smallboatlover]

no electronics on board no motor

[J36ZT]

Sails should be stored in a dry cool place.

You wouldn't think someone would be low enough as to steal sails, but I know of one instance where a car was broken into just for the two sail bags in the front seat.

Larger boats may get by with leaving sails attached to the boat under canvas. They can do this because they are so large the engine is required to get out of the marina or mooring field (unless someone is really skilled). Even so, it is a risk.

Bottom line, take everything that may be of value that isn't welded in place...sails especially!

Skipper, J/36 "Zero Tolerance"

[Silvio]

Originally Posted by smallboatlover

no electronics on board no motor

glad you saw that I was kidding around about electronics and such.

If you are comfortable with the security there is no reason not to leave her on a mooring. If you leave your sails rigged in a a yankee bag or on the boom you will want to be sure that they are really secure. If an unusually strong blow comes through when you aren't around you could lose your sails or damage your or other's boats if they get loose. I have used a yankee bag for a hanked on head sail before and only attached the halyard when it was time to sail, never left it attached just in case it decided to sail the boat on its own.