Chalky residue on sail

[forbin]

Hey,

In November I took the jib off the furler in preparation for a storm that never materialized, but I noticed a lot of chalky residue on my hands after folding it up.
Does anyone know what that could be? I was thinking maybe the UV coating is wearing out? Any other ideas?

Thanks, Brian

 

[whatfiero]

I have noticed that too and thought maybe salt. Do you sail in fresh water

 

[forbin]

I have noticed that too and thought maybe salt. Do you sail in fresh water

I thought it might be salt at first but I think it's something else, it was too smooth and sort of rubbery feeling. I didn't taste it though...yet.

I'm in salt water.

 

[NotCook]

My first reaction is that it is salt also. Some form of oxidation would be another possibility. How old is the sail? If the fabric is disintegrating, it might turn to dust.

 

[forbin]

My first reaction is that it is salt also. Some form of oxidation would be another possibility. How old is the sail? If the fabric is disintegrating, it might turn to dust.

The sail is from 2009. The PO replaced the original from 2002. The fabric all looks good and is still "crisp." It's got a UV coating on one side so that's what I was thinking it might be.

Sounds like maybe I'll have to taste it...or at least more testing is in order (which side of the sail it came from and where.)

 

[Davidasailor26]

Could it be that the sail dragged across an unwaxed section of hull and picked up oxidation from there while you were folding it?

 

[forbin]

Could it be that the sail dragged across an unwaxed section of hull and picked up oxidation from there while you were folding it?

Well that's something I hadn't considered, and it's definitely a possibility. It would have come in to contact with some [at the time] lightly oxidized areas next to the non-skid.

 

[Capt jgw]

I had an old sail with a white UV cover that was disintegrating, and it gave off a lot of white dust like old paint on a house. It seems the lifespan of white
UV dacron is limited, Sunbrella lasts much longer.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Could someone have tried to clean the sails and not rinse them thoroughly afterwards? Bleach residue perhaps?

 

[walmsleyc]

Would the sail have been sent for a professional cleaning?

Chris

 

[jssailem]

Could this be construction dust? Up here in Everett the port has been building. The dust is a fine grey powder that is everywhere.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Not another volcano eruption I hope. I toured St Helens a few years after it went off. Looked like the moon.

 

[jssailem]

Looked like the moon

It was a sight. Took some friends up in a piper warrior for a tour once the FAA permitted flights. Was unbelievable. All the trees layed out in rows like pickup sticks on a grey dust filled carpet. No green just grey. Now the forest is returning. Will be a while till the big trees return.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Will be a while till the big trees return.

John, I thought everything was BIG up here. You mean to tell me they actually start 'em small and grow them, just like every where else? Who knew...???

I flew over almost all the volcanoes on a return flight from Heathrow a few years back, came in early in the a.m. Awesome.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Does anyone know what that could be?

Brian,

Smells, sounds, tastes, touchy-feelies and photos of electrical wires without wiring diagrams are well nigh impossible to diagnose on the internet, try as hard as we might...

If you take a small area and you use plain soap & water does it come off? If so, don't sweat it, do the rest, dry it and put it away for the winter.

Good luck.

Otherwise, absent a physical, forensic analysis, they were all just guessing, which may or may not have been of any help to you. It could be your drug dealer gave you a free sample for the holidays for all we know. Or Morton's Salt Company dropped by... Or Santa came early... Just guessin' here...

 

[Justin_NSA]

What Stu said. At this point we're just using the thread for our own amusement.
If you figure it out let us know what it is.

 

[forbin]

I had an old sail with a white UV cover that was disintegrating, and it gave off a lot of white dust like old paint on a house. It seems the lifespan of white
UV dacron is limited, Sunbrella lasts much longer.

Definitely possible, this was my first guess, still not confirmed either way.

Could this be construction dust? Up here in Everett the port has been building. The dust is a fine grey powder that is everywhere.

Not likely, no construction nearby.

Would the sail have been sent for a professional cleaning?Chris

Not yet!

Brian,
If you take a small area and you use plain soap & water does it come off? If so, don't sweat it, do the rest, dry it and put it away for the winter.

Otherwise, absent a physical, forensic analysis, they were all just guessing, which may or may not have been of any help to you. It could be your drug dealer gave you a free sample for the holidays for all we know. Or Morton's Salt Company dropped by... Or Santa came early... Just guessin' here...

I haven't tried cleaning it yet, I'm not even exactly sure what area of the sail it's coming from...tbd.

If someone were doing lines off the furled sail I'd be hard pressed to stop them given the acrobatics that would be involved! And no volcanoes as far as I know...I've been inside a lot lately though.

Brian

 

[jssailem]

I know when I spent a couple of months at Fishermans Terminal there was a thin coat of oily soot on everything. Never saw anything during the day but in the morning the boat needed another pressure bath. Swear the mechanics waited till after dark fireed up their engines to clean out the pipes.