Tips on storing sails

Posted By: Tom T House "Salsa"
Date: 1/28/09 5:32a.m.

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This is from North Sails Website. I thought others might find it of some passing interest. Caring for your sails Your sails from North Sails One Design are constructed from the best materials on the market today. Before we made your sails, we tested many different fabrics from the best suppliers in the world. Mainsail It is not necessary to remove the battens from the main when storing it. Be sure to roll the sail up parallel to the battens to avoid putting a permanent twist in the battens. Watch the mainsail for signs of wear on the batten pockets where they cross the shrouds. Be sure to wash the sail off with fresh water when it becomes salty and make sure the sail is thoroughly dried before storage. Genoa Like the main, always roll the sail after sailing and do not remove the battens. Occasionally wash the sail off with fresh water. If you have been using a lot of leach line on the sail remove this before storing. Spinnaker The best thing to prolong the life of your spinnaker is to always store the sail clean and dry. Although this is not always possible! When the sail gets wet in salt water (and it will) wash it off with fresh water and dry it thoroughly if leaving for a long period of time. Fold your spinnaker to store it if possible. My two cents also suggests one should also safeguard against mildew and against rodents, or other pests that eat, nest or may otherwise soil or damage stored sails. Sails that have any moisture in them at all may also cause their colors to run. UV hitting sails or sail bags or covers may cause colored sails to fade and any sail to weakens. A few precautions and a bit of care has resulted in some of my sails still giving acceptible service after being bought new in the early '70's and some in the '80's. Anyone else have some tips?