I just recovered a old Venture. It has been sitting for 20 years now and has been filled with water for a least a year. The sails were sitting in the water for that time. I was wondering 2 things. First the sails appear to be in great condidtion but I don't know what effects being in water can have on them. Don't know if the stitching is dry rotted or not. But they appear to be in good order. Second is there any way to get the sail white once again? Scrubed them down and they look alot better, but I was wondering if it is safe to put bleach on them? Even if it is diluted. Thanks for help.
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Sail Care?
There is a company in Ford City, PA named Sail Care that will clean and/or fix sails for a fee (of course). They will inspect them beforehand and then let you know all about the sail's condition. Four years ago they cost .85/sqft for re-resin & cleaning. I also had stitching and fixes done. I was very pleased with the repairs. Mine came back looking like new. But...if the sail material is weak to begin with, then the sail may still be weak. A year later, I blew out the sail in gusty conditions along the first reef point as I was "pushing" the boat - not Sail Care's fault! Also, they will need a good lead time (6 weeks in the early part of the off season - like now). That lead time will increase after the first of the year.
There is a company in Ford City, PA named Sail Care that will clean and/or fix sails for a fee (of course). They will inspect them beforehand and then let you know all about the sail's condition. Four years ago they cost .85/sqft for re-resin & cleaning. I also had stitching and fixes done. I was very pleased with the repairs. Mine came back looking like new. But...if the sail material is weak to begin with, then the sail may still be weak. A year later, I blew out the sail in gusty conditions along the first reef point as I was "pushing" the boat - not Sail Care's fault! Also, they will need a good lead time (6 weeks in the early part of the off season - like now). That lead time will increase after the first of the year.
Sailcare
I took on an 83' O'Day 18 months ago. It sat unused for 8 years with the 150% and jib inside, but the main was on the boom with a cover. The main with the worn out cover looked terrible with many large mold/mildew spots and discolored areas. I washed it in a kid's pool based on instructions from several sources and decided I wouldn't use it because it looked so ugly after days of washing/soaking. I saw an ad for Sailcare and read a couple of recommendations. I sent the main to them taking a $150 chance that they could improve it, but also knowing it might be a waste and I would have to by a new sail. What I got back was a like new sail with NO spotting or obvious damage and they treated the sail with a treatment. I'm a new sailor so I don't have much experience, but to me this is basically a new sail. I subsequently sent them both head sails to clean and treat, and this year bought a roller furler from them and had them cut the 150 for furling. I am satisfied with the quality and guidance that Sailcare has provided. CVP
I took on an 83' O'Day 18 months ago. It sat unused for 8 years with the 150% and jib inside, but the main was on the boom with a cover. The main with the worn out cover looked terrible with many large mold/mildew spots and discolored areas. I washed it in a kid's pool based on instructions from several sources and decided I wouldn't use it because it looked so ugly after days of washing/soaking. I saw an ad for Sailcare and read a couple of recommendations. I sent the main to them taking a $150 chance that they could improve it, but also knowing it might be a waste and I would have to by a new sail. What I got back was a like new sail with NO spotting or obvious damage and they treated the sail with a treatment. I'm a new sailor so I don't have much experience, but to me this is basically a new sail. I subsequently sent them both head sails to clean and treat, and this year bought a roller furler from them and had them cut the 150 for furling. I am satisfied with the quality and guidance that Sailcare has provided. CVP
SAIL CARE
NEVER use bleach on sails! Lots of reason for this but have you seen what it does to clothes?? Never used Sail Care but I've purchased stuff from them and it was a good experience. Check out their website: http://www.sailcare.com/ There is lots of discussion about Sail Care and all comments I've read were very positive.
NEVER use bleach on sails! Lots of reason for this but have you seen what it does to clothes?? Never used Sail Care but I've purchased stuff from them and it was a good experience. Check out their website: http://www.sailcare.com/ There is lots of discussion about Sail Care and all comments I've read were very positive.
Do it yourselve? uummm, NO!
On advice I did it myself on the 150% furler in my swimming pool. I Wish I hadn't. The sail itself came out fine but the threads in the sun protector strip {whats it called?} started to deteriorate shortly after. Sending it out to a pro is good advice. good luck, Jack
On advice I did it myself on the 150% furler in my swimming pool. I Wish I hadn't. The sail itself came out fine but the threads in the sun protector strip {whats it called?} started to deteriorate shortly after. Sending it out to a pro is good advice. good luck, Jack
Easy to do
Find a dingy ,fill with 1/2 way up with water, 1/2 box of biz and 1/2 Tide(non bleach), soak sail, agitate, let stand 1/2 hr, agitate, let stand 1/2 hr, agitate, let stand 3 hrs, agitate. remove sail. The longer it sits the whiter it becomes. Overnight is ideal. rinse with hose on grass. Not Driveway (to coarse). dry while sailing. Fold up and enjoy a cold one. It doesn't get any easier. Check the archives. Good luck and remember.... Keep it up, Ctskip
Find a dingy ,fill with 1/2 way up with water, 1/2 box of biz and 1/2 Tide(non bleach), soak sail, agitate, let stand 1/2 hr, agitate, let stand 1/2 hr, agitate, let stand 3 hrs, agitate. remove sail. The longer it sits the whiter it becomes. Overnight is ideal. rinse with hose on grass. Not Driveway (to coarse). dry while sailing. Fold up and enjoy a cold one. It doesn't get any easier. Check the archives. Good luck and remember.... Keep it up, Ctskip
Sail care Discount
At the Annapolis Boat Show I was told by Sail Care that there is a 15% discount if you get them your sails before December 15th. From what I cold see of the dsplay It is impressive work.
At the Annapolis Boat Show I was told by Sail Care that there is a 15% discount if you get them your sails before December 15th. From what I cold see of the dsplay It is impressive work.
DIY sail cleaning ....
If you dont have bare teak (decks or 'brightwork'), you can clean the sail ON the boat: This is for WOVEN WHITE DACRON ONLY ... not for laminated sails or colored dacron. Materials needed: Sodium Silicate detergent Oxalic acid (hardware store stuff Garden hose soft bristle brush on long (5 ft.) handle plastic tarp On a cloudy windless day ----- Slowly raise sails as you spritz on sodium silicate plus a little water mist from the hose, lightly scrub as you raise. Do one side at a time. Then lower to deck and cover with plastic tarp. Let soak at least one hour. Object is to totallly saturate the sail material with detergent and water. Tarp prevent detergent mix from drying. Remove tarp, slowly raise as you scrub with soft brush, spritz with more detergent and water as needed dto keep sial wet. lower to deck and cover and let soak for another hour. Raise and scrub another time. Then drop to deck and raise again while 'blasting' with gardfen hose to remove all dissolved crud and detergent. Raise/sinse several times until NO soap bubbles are evident. This should dissolve all growth (mildew, air pollution, oil, etc.). By now there will onoly be 'shadows' of stains and dirt. Be SURE sail is well rinsed before proceding to the next step. Mix up a strong solution of oxalic acid and warm water, and apply as you did with detergent (apply oxalic with brush). Oxalic will bleach out all iron stains including tannin stains. Oxalic will almost immediately remove all the brown and rust, etc. Caution: wear gloves, foul weather gear, goggles as oxalic acid rapidly becomes absorbed through your skin and reforms as very sharp crystals in the nephrons of your kidneys. Thoroughly RINSE sail when fully bleached. Let hang to dry or go sailing. Should remove MOST of the dirt and debris, most 'fungus', most 'air pollution' and most tannin/iron stains.
If you dont have bare teak (decks or 'brightwork'), you can clean the sail ON the boat: This is for WOVEN WHITE DACRON ONLY ... not for laminated sails or colored dacron. Materials needed: Sodium Silicate detergent Oxalic acid (hardware store stuff Garden hose soft bristle brush on long (5 ft.) handle plastic tarp On a cloudy windless day ----- Slowly raise sails as you spritz on sodium silicate plus a little water mist from the hose, lightly scrub as you raise. Do one side at a time. Then lower to deck and cover with plastic tarp. Let soak at least one hour. Object is to totallly saturate the sail material with detergent and water. Tarp prevent detergent mix from drying. Remove tarp, slowly raise as you scrub with soft brush, spritz with more detergent and water as needed dto keep sial wet. lower to deck and cover and let soak for another hour. Raise and scrub another time. Then drop to deck and raise again while 'blasting' with gardfen hose to remove all dissolved crud and detergent. Raise/sinse several times until NO soap bubbles are evident. This should dissolve all growth (mildew, air pollution, oil, etc.). By now there will onoly be 'shadows' of stains and dirt. Be SURE sail is well rinsed before proceding to the next step. Mix up a strong solution of oxalic acid and warm water, and apply as you did with detergent (apply oxalic with brush). Oxalic will bleach out all iron stains including tannin stains. Oxalic will almost immediately remove all the brown and rust, etc. Caution: wear gloves, foul weather gear, goggles as oxalic acid rapidly becomes absorbed through your skin and reforms as very sharp crystals in the nephrons of your kidneys. Thoroughly RINSE sail when fully bleached. Let hang to dry or go sailing. Should remove MOST of the dirt and debris, most 'fungus', most 'air pollution' and most tannin/iron stains.
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