Sail storage

Now that the winter is firmly here I hope you have safely stored your sails away. You should leave them on the boat while it is ashore on the hard. If your sails are still in the sail locker - go to the boat over the weekend and remove them. Dampness, moisture etc. together with a drop in temperature to below freezing will definitely have an adverse effect on your sail cloth. It is essential that you remove your sails and bring them home to a dry warm environment.

Now I know it is a bit late to say unpack them from the sail bag and lay them out to clean and dry them, but if you can that is what to do. Failing that, just storing them in the house in a warm dry place will help. After all you do not want to experience a tear in you sail next Spring in the first blow of the season!

Always look after your sails - they are expensive to replace!

Replace your sails!

Many of you will have been using your sails this summer in light and strong winds. If they have been left hanked on to the boom and roller reefing without a sail cover, the sunlight has been beating down on them.

This sunlight is damaging your sail cloth. Sooner or later this deterioration will cause a tear in your sail, probably when you are out in a bit of a blow! Replacing these sails can be expensive. However, many second hand sails can be bought at auction, for a very reasonable price.

Some of these sails are nearly new. Some, especially headsails may have had rare use. A storm jib or big genoa or spinnaker may be practically new! This could be listed at a fraction of its true value. Buy it now!

Mainsails listed second hand will require more careful consideration. Deterioration may have occurred. Ask plenty of questions and see several photos
before you bid. Sometimes mainsails are for sale because they are being replaced for a larger sail, or one with a different form of reefing. Some sails may be designed for roller reefing. Others may have reefing ties sown in for slab reefing.

So use this time of year, right in the middle of the season to see if you can pick up a bargain.

Cleaning the sails!

I decided to take out the jib and genoa from their sail bags today. It was sunny this morning and since the grass was cut early last week it was ideal for looking at the sails. By the way, do not wash your sails soon after cutting the grass! Why?

Well all the bits of grass will get stuck to the sails! That is partly why I mentioned it had been sometime since I cut the grass! With the sail spread out on the back lawn, I inspected the sailcloth for stains and wear. All seemed to be good in terms of wear, but there was the odd area of dark stains.

First task was to apply some soap directly onto the stains, then wait. I was waiting for the soap to take effect on the sail cloth. Then using a soft sponge and warm water (not hot water!) I rubbed in a circular motion with the sponge. Rinse with cold water to quickly remove the soap suds and the stains were almost away!

I left the sails hanging on the washing line to dry. Thankfully they did dry before the sun showers arrived!

For more information about sails why not visit my website - http://www.secondhandsails4sale.co.uk

Welcome to secondhandsails4sale!

Second hand sails are a useful and cost effective way to replace your existing sails. They are also a way of equipping a new vessel with sails, cheaply. Too many yachts have their sails exposed to sunlight 12 months of the year. Sunlight damages your sails, making them brittle and easily ripped, especially when gybing in a strong wind! This is just when you need a torn sail as the last thing to contend with while out at sea. So use covers, such as a boom sail cover and a cover for your roller reefing jib. These can either be bought new or made specially for your sail by you or a local shop. Sailmakers can make up a cover but you could also use your local sewing repair shop, if you give them the sail cloth (canvas) and a diagram to follow.

Remember, keep your sails protected from the sun as much as possible.

I hope to keep you informed as to how I maintain my sails throughout the year.