Best way to store sails?

[gitpicker2007]

I've got several sails that came with the boat, that I'm not using.
I currently keep them onboard, stowed in the starboard bunk area, but would like to offload some of this stuff for more room and less weight.
I've got a barn, but hesitate to store them on a shelf like I did with my Hobie Cat sails because mice chewed them up and made a nest.
I've thought about maybe one of those large "tupperware" type containers, to keep them out of the reach of critters but wondered if it was bad to leave them closed up.
Any advice/tips/experience would be appreciated.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Consider keeping them open in the house for a few days to guarantee that they're dry and then store them in the air tight plastic containers with a few dessicant packs.

 

[BlowMeAway]

We store indoors, at home. Of course we have tremendous temperature swings, and winter condensation issues, up here in NY. Once the sails are removed at the end of October we stretch the sails out over the lawn, flake, roll or fold loosely, place into an appropriate, breathable, nylon bag and hang it up, off the floor, in a storage closet. Flaking properly is best performed by two people. See the video below:

 

[gitpicker2007]

Right, it's the humidity I was worrying about. I was thinking one of those large tupperware container type things.

 

[BlowMeAway]

Right, it's the humidity I was worrying about. I was thinking one of those large tupperware container type things.

Sure, but as Ralph has indicated make sure the sail is as dry as possible before stowing and place some desiccant pouches in before you seal up. I do that with all our hiking and camping gear, never had a problem with mold, mildew, or critters. The sails are treated as family here, they get an indoors invite.

 

[Gene Neill]

We keep ours (ten or twelve sails, for two different boats) on shelves in a shed, in their sail bags, nothing fancy. It's a "good" shed, with drywall interior. It has a ceiling fan which remains on high at all times, with a 100-watt incandescent light bulb that stays on. One shed window is left partially open. The shed is in the perpetual shade of a huge oak. It works, we don't get any mildew worth mentioning.

Not too sure about putting them in plastic containers. Ever see the inside of an unused refrigerator left closed? Or even just a cooler? I believe more in open, flowing air. Desiccant will work, but only if the container is 100% hermetically sealed.

That said, if we had any space in the house to spare ... they'd live in the house. Nothing beats climate control! Our V berth cushions are stored in the house, as they are never used. We're only keeping them around for possible eventual resale of the boat.

 

[JRacer]

You might consider those large vacuum sealable bags. Available Home depot and elsewhere. Google Vacuum Storage Bags. You suck out the air with a regular vacuum cleaner/shop vac. Make sure well dry before storing and include the desiccant packs to capture any latent moisture.