Hi all, The dreaded time has come, the end of the sailing season here in the Great Lakes. The marina hoisted my boat out this morning and settled her on the cradle for the next 6 months. I've already started my "projects list" but have some tips answered. For cleaning sails, the water quality in our suburb isn't the best, so as for cleaning my sails, is it ok to go take my sails to a laundromat where they have big industrial type machines and wash them on low cycle with tumble dry? No detergents, just bleach mixture? yes no, maybe so? Will the Oday 23 mast hold the weight of the human body if I need to go up the mast to work at the masthead? Several new questions will surface, but maybe another time. Had a Great time sailing in the summer of '04...already dreaming towards summer '05 Mark Reiland s/v Cattivo I 1972 Oday 23 Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Bleach on sails
I was told by our local sail shop to never use bleach on sailes. Some stitching had come undone our Genoa. I was advised by someone from our club that if one set of stitching was coming loose, others probably were too, and I should take it to the shop to have them restitch all of it. I did so, and the shop showed us all of the stitching was rotting. He said it was because someone had bleached the sail.
I was told by our local sail shop to never use bleach on sailes. Some stitching had come undone our Genoa. I was advised by someone from our club that if one set of stitching was coming loose, others probably were too, and I should take it to the shop to have them restitch all of it. I did so, and the shop showed us all of the stitching was rotting. He said it was because someone had bleached the sail.
Bleach a sail!?
Mark: Never put bleach on a sail. That's like concentrated sunshine. Sunshine (UV) is the reason for sail covers and roller furling Sunbrella edges. The stitces will be gone in a season. Go to a good sail loft, I go to Kent in the Great Lakes area, and pony up the few bucks to have a pro take care of the linen. Regards, Mike S/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron
Mark: Never put bleach on a sail. That's like concentrated sunshine. Sunshine (UV) is the reason for sail covers and roller furling Sunbrella edges. The stitces will be gone in a season. Go to a good sail loft, I go to Kent in the Great Lakes area, and pony up the few bucks to have a pro take care of the linen. Regards, Mike S/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron
sailcare
Mark, send your sail(s) to sail care or to a loft for cleaning & repairing as required.... SailCare in Pennsylvania does an excellent job and your sails will come back looking like new and give you several more years of good usage.
Mark, send your sail(s) to sail care or to a loft for cleaning & repairing as required.... SailCare in Pennsylvania does an excellent job and your sails will come back looking like new and give you several more years of good usage.
sailcare
The sailmaker that I use said that he recommends laying it out in your yard in the grass and using a SOFT bristle brush, go over it with a medium strength laundry detergent but with NO bleach. He said that for grease, mildew, or rust stains try using one of the citrus cleaners but be sure that it has NO petroleum distilates in it. If the entire stain doesn't come out then too bad, learn to live with it. He said that anything stronger will hurt the fabric or stitching. Afterwards let it dry completely in the sun and then fold. Russ
The sailmaker that I use said that he recommends laying it out in your yard in the grass and using a SOFT bristle brush, go over it with a medium strength laundry detergent but with NO bleach. He said that for grease, mildew, or rust stains try using one of the citrus cleaners but be sure that it has NO petroleum distilates in it. If the entire stain doesn't come out then too bad, learn to live with it. He said that anything stronger will hurt the fabric or stitching. Afterwards let it dry completely in the sun and then fold. Russ
O 23 mast
I have an ODay 23 also. I took my mast down before hauling out for the winter because I have to replace my compression post. I found it a very easy task to lower it with myself and two friends. I'd advise that over going up it.
I have an ODay 23 also. I took my mast down before hauling out for the winter because I have to replace my compression post. I found it a very easy task to lower it with myself and two friends. I'd advise that over going up it.
Drop the Mast - Don't Climb
I agree with the advice on dropping the mast. I follow the general procedure I got from the archives of this site some time ago. With the help of a friend, I disconnect and lower (slowly; don't drop) it forward over the pulpit in a few minutes. Then you can do anything you need to.
I agree with the advice on dropping the mast. I follow the general procedure I got from the archives of this site some time ago. With the help of a friend, I disconnect and lower (slowly; don't drop) it forward over the pulpit in a few minutes. Then you can do anything you need to.
Don't climb on the hard
Now that you're boat's been hauled out, you'll have to pass on mast-climbing until she's back in the water -- even if the mast can hold your weight. In response to a similar question, I was told by master rigger Brion Toss that you NEVER, EVER climb the mast while the boat's on the cradle. There's no give like you'd have with the boat in the water. One bad puff of wind, one incorrect shift in weight, and the whole bloody thing is gonna go over. And if it's that easy to drop the mast on a 23, why even think about climbing? It's a lot easier to do all kinds of mast maintenance on the ground. Pete s/v "Crossroads" (O-322) Little Silver, NJ
Now that you're boat's been hauled out, you'll have to pass on mast-climbing until she's back in the water -- even if the mast can hold your weight. In response to a similar question, I was told by master rigger Brion Toss that you NEVER, EVER climb the mast while the boat's on the cradle. There's no give like you'd have with the boat in the water. One bad puff of wind, one incorrect shift in weight, and the whole bloody thing is gonna go over. And if it's that easy to drop the mast on a 23, why even think about climbing? It's a lot easier to do all kinds of mast maintenance on the ground. Pete s/v "Crossroads" (O-322) Little Silver, NJ
Sail care
I agree that SailCare is excellent; they dry clean and replace the resins that bind the fibers together, resulting in a durable, waterproof, stain and UV resistant sail material. It's in Ford City, PA, and they most of their business by mail order. They will also repair anything that needs it. Not exactly cheap but definitely worth it. They will send you a very nice informational booklet that describes the options, prices, and process. They also have a Cape Coral FL office. They are at www.sailcare.com, or email the Ford City site at info@sailcare.com. The owner is Bill Toy. Toll-free phone is 800-433-7245.
I agree that SailCare is excellent; they dry clean and replace the resins that bind the fibers together, resulting in a durable, waterproof, stain and UV resistant sail material. It's in Ford City, PA, and they most of their business by mail order. They will also repair anything that needs it. Not exactly cheap but definitely worth it. They will send you a very nice informational booklet that describes the options, prices, and process. They also have a Cape Coral FL office. They are at www.sailcare.com, or email the Ford City site at info@sailcare.com. The owner is Bill Toy. Toll-free phone is 800-433-7245.
oday 23 website
Hi, yes, the page was taken down because I switched Internet providers. (cheap bastards) *LOL* Anyways, I will be working to put up an update, improved Oday 23 page. With new updated pics, pics of our first sailing season with my Oday 23, refit progress and hopefully more! I'm very sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused. Sincerely, Mark
Hi, yes, the page was taken down because I switched Internet providers. (cheap bastards) *LOL* Anyways, I will be working to put up an update, improved Oday 23 page. With new updated pics, pics of our first sailing season with my Oday 23, refit progress and hopefully more! I'm very sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused. Sincerely, Mark
Oday 23 climbing the mast
Thanks for all your advice and comments. Oday sailors are great! I don't plan on climbing the mast while my boat is on the hard. I'm simply curious if the mast on an Oday 23 can hold the weight of a 194 lb guy! My mast is a keel stepped one, still able to be lowered, but not as easy as a deck-stepped one. When my boat was slinged and lifted out, I kept the mast up. The rigging is still in great condition, no problems with the mast or components. I do need to have a custom winter cover done for my oday 23 for when the mast is up. I do have a big custom cover for when the mast is down, but find that the rigging interferes with the idea of putting a winter cover on. Thanks again for everything! Maybe summer 2005 we should aim on having an Oday rendevous here in the Bay of Green Bay? Mark s/v Cattivo I 1972 Oday 23 Green Bay, Wisconsin
Thanks for all your advice and comments. Oday sailors are great! I don't plan on climbing the mast while my boat is on the hard. I'm simply curious if the mast on an Oday 23 can hold the weight of a 194 lb guy! My mast is a keel stepped one, still able to be lowered, but not as easy as a deck-stepped one. When my boat was slinged and lifted out, I kept the mast up. The rigging is still in great condition, no problems with the mast or components. I do need to have a custom winter cover done for my oday 23 for when the mast is up. I do have a big custom cover for when the mast is down, but find that the rigging interferes with the idea of putting a winter cover on. Thanks again for everything! Maybe summer 2005 we should aim on having an Oday rendevous here in the Bay of Green Bay? Mark s/v Cattivo I 1972 Oday 23 Green Bay, Wisconsin
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