WHY DO WE DO THIS?

[twodzusfittings]

Since I started sailing and owning a sail boat, every season I do the same thing. But I never quite understand the reason, what may occur if I dont and can I do it differently so I don't have to put a lot of energy into it. I'm talking about removing the sails every year at the end of the season, waiting till the spring, only to put them back on. Each time I struggle with these huge sheets, stuff them into the car, so when I get home and the weather allows it, to lay them out on the driveway to flake them and get them easily into their appropriate sail bags. Four months later I bring them down to the boat and spend a day re installing them. For my main sail I have a sail cover that I use during the sailing season. The Genoa has a UV strip that protects the skin when furled. If I was able to get a sail cover for the Genoa, figure out how to seal it, hoist it and retrieve it, Do I really need to continue to remove sail for the off season. I'm on the northern Chesapeake, temps can sink pretty cold but within the last ten to 15 years we have never been iced in, with thick ice. What kind of damage would incur if I did not remove them. What say you?

 

[colemj]

Freeze thaw cycles with trapped water. Mold. Insect nests. Rodents chewing. Wind getting into covers/bags/furling and doing damage.

Off the top of my head.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

UV, wind, mold, rodents, theft, birds crapping on the cover...

 

[DArcy]

Do you store your boat out of the water? I don't like seeing sails on boats while out of the water because it adds windage which might be just enough to knock the boat down in a good blow. I'm not sure that's a legitimate concern since I then throw a massive tarp over the boat. The main sail probably does nothing, the genoa is up high so adds a quite a moment arm and gets the windage up into higher speed winds.

Other than that, It's a good idea to remove and inspect your sails annually anyway so why not put them away where they will not be exposed to the elements and extend the life a little.

I take my mast down every fall so I may have a different view than some.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I’ve seen enough jibs shredded in storms to not want to leave mine up for the winter. Just too much risk to be worthwhile, especially since taking the sails off is a good chance to inspect them while there’s still time for any repairs.

 

[Tally Ho]

I do the same thing, and also hike the mast and takedown my wind anemometer. In the Chicago area, wind, snow, ice, freezing rain and UV damage are all good reasons to remove your sails, sail covers, Bimini, wind instruments, etc. And then I schlep a 3-part canvas cover to the marina, assemble the cover on the boat and tie it down in hopes of keeping some of the snow, ice, freezing rain and UV from doing damage to the boat.


It is also a good time to inspect your sails, patch any little holes, get them cleaned, whatever.

I also store mine in my basement, away from critters that might like to make a nest out of my crisp, white sails or away from moisture sources that can cause mildew and staining.

Whenever I see a nice boat stored at my marina over the winter with the sails on…I think “What a lazy owner”.

Greg

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm also a big advocate of a winter cover. With over 100 holes in the deck, it's a guarantee that at least one of them is leaking into the core. If it's leaking into the cabin, it may be quite some time before we discover it during winter layup. Lot's of damage can occur in that time period.

As an added bonus, it's shockingly warm under the cover. You can actually get some deck work done

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Life is good in Florida. Winter prep consists of adding air to the fenders.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Life is good in Florida. Winter prep consists of adding air to the fenders.

with lots of rain and occasional hurricanes

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

with lots of rain and occasional hurricanes

Actually, we have a severe drought here because of the lack of rain last summer. We traded the occasional hurricane for almost constant sun and warm. No place is perfect but when it comes to boat preparation for winter, I’m good.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Since I started sailing and owning a sail boat, every season I do the same thing. But I never quite understand the reason, what may occur if I dont and can I do it differently so I don't have to put a lot of energy into it. I'm talking about removing the sails every year at the end of the season, waiting till the spring, only to put them back on. Each time I struggle with these huge sheets, stuff them into the car, so when I get home and the weather allows it, to lay them out on the driveway to flake them and get them easily into their appropriate sail bags. Four months later I bring them down to the boat and spend a day re installing them.

Maybe treat yourself to some paid help. Consider scheduling your sail loft or rigger to take them down, fold/flake, and bag, etc. Getting older now and wishing for fewer “hard” tasks. My loft guys will come take a sail down, get it repaired, and deliver back. I need to be there to put it back on, but can request their help. So, skip the repair part and just pay ‘em to take ‘em down, flake, and bag. $20 to $40 job?

 

[BarryL]

Hello,

Here in NY on the Long Island Sound the off season is closer to 6 months. I also remove the sails, bring them home, get them serviced, cleaned, inspected, and stored in my basement. I bring home the headsail sheets and spinnaker sheets, wash them, and let them hang in my garage.

If my off season was 3 months or less I’d be tempted to leave them on. Truth be told, by the end of the season (mid to late October) I need a break from sailing. Last September and October has big regattas almost every week. Waiting 6 months is too long, but a month or 2 would be okay.

Anyway, sails and gear are expensive. taking good care of your stuff increases the lifespan.

good lick,
Barry

 

[Johnb]

I remember a boat yard from long ago that would not do a haul out unless roller furled headsails were removed.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I remember a boat yard from long ago that would not do a haul out unless roller furled headsails were removed.

I bet you they had an incident where a sail came unfurled. The yard I'm at charges $250 per sail. I guess they need to charge that much to cover the time for all types of different sails

 

[dmax]

All sails must be removed before entering my yard.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Ok, I think I get the message. Guess I will continue to pull them down and put them up each season. And here is me thinking there maybe another option. Guess not. My sails have seen three short seasons and they are so crisp, I struggle each time.

 

[jssailem]

I do it, not because I’m told by any yard.

I learned that dry stored sails maintain their shape and performance longer than sails left up on the boat, out in the weather. Maybe it’s an old sailor’s myth.

I do it anyway.

Just like I don’t leave my shoes lying about, kicked off in the living room.

I’ve been known to also hang up my foulies on hooks to dry. Call me crazy.

 

[kappykaplan]

I’ve been known to also hang up my foulies on hooks to dry. Call me crazy.

Okay - crazy! But I do the same thing, so are we both crazy?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Ok, I think I get the message. Guess I will continue to pull them down and put them up each season. And here is me thinking there maybe another option. Guess not. My sails have seen three short seasons and they are so crisp, I struggle each time.

This year I was smart about how I took the sails down. My main was already tied to my boom. I took extra sail ties and tightly tied them around just the sail, I then took out the battons, released the slides/slugs from the track, undid all the lines and pins, and finally, released the ties from the boom. Now here's where I went wrong - I had some help carrying it down below. I should've folded it and put it in its bag. Now I'm stuck carrying a 12' long sail down from the deck level by ladder, through the snow and finally tossing it on top of my car to drive it across the yard. Somewhere along the line I need to find a place to fold it

For the jib I did 90% of it by myself. I undid the downhaul, tossed some sail ties on the deck between the cabin top and stanchions and let the sail flake there as I dropped it. A second hand helps so you're not darting all over the place. Once the sail was down, I simply folded it and wrapped the sheet around it. It's ready to go into the bag

 

[jssailem]

wrapped the sheet around it

Some folks feel this is ok. I found that the sheets can be dirty or even moist. It sets up an opportunity of staining and rot/mildew. I take the sheets. Give them a fresh water soak/wash then hang them to dry. They are ready to go for the next season.

I know you are in fresh water and this may be more important in my salt water environment. On the other hand, I remember there was a time when acid rain and air contaminates were damaging the surface of cars in the Midwest.

Maybe we each enjoy or rituals.