Do you fold or stuff your sails when storing them away? I'm a stuffer myself. I always heard that folding them puts in creases which can damage the material.
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a folder
Take 2 matched (size)one dollar bills and roll one of the bills into a ball, than strighten the rolled dollar and try to make it (size) fit the unrolled bill. I bet you can't.... same with sails. I never try to crease the fold into the sail and so far the sails are in good shape, more like rolling the sails
Take 2 matched (size)one dollar bills and roll one of the bills into a ball, than strighten the rolled dollar and try to make it (size) fit the unrolled bill. I bet you can't.... same with sails. I never try to crease the fold into the sail and so far the sails are in good shape, more like rolling the sails
Fold
The lofts that I've visited all recommend folding. I would think that stuffing also puts creases in (just in a random pattern) if left for any length of time. You can get more info and talk to the experts at www.sailcare.com
The lofts that I've visited all recommend folding. I would think that stuffing also puts creases in (just in a random pattern) if left for any length of time. You can get more info and talk to the experts at www.sailcare.com
Fold too.
After I sent mine to sailcare I fold my all the time also. I haven't seen any creasing like it did when I stuffed mine.
After I sent mine to sailcare I fold my all the time also. I haven't seen any creasing like it did when I stuffed mine.
Flake and roll
I follow Jeremy Howard-Williams' (related link) recommendations. Mainsail (when not rolling around boom): 1. Flake horizontal or vertical. (Alternate each time to reduce creases.) 2. Roll from thicker end (not head or clew) Jib: 1. Roll from the head into a hoop along the luff wire. 2. Roll again from luff toward clew. Bag should be big enough for a loose fit. Light sails are more susceptible to creases than heavy ones. If you find any of Jeremy's books on sails, grab it. I have 2: 'The Care and Repair of Sails' and 'Sails' fifth edition. Happy sails _/), MArk
I follow Jeremy Howard-Williams' (related link) recommendations. Mainsail (when not rolling around boom): 1. Flake horizontal or vertical. (Alternate each time to reduce creases.) 2. Roll from thicker end (not head or clew) Jib: 1. Roll from the head into a hoop along the luff wire. 2. Roll again from luff toward clew. Bag should be big enough for a loose fit. Light sails are more susceptible to creases than heavy ones. If you find any of Jeremy's books on sails, grab it. I have 2: 'The Care and Repair of Sails' and 'Sails' fifth edition. Happy sails _/), MArk
Just for discussion
Tristan Jones said to stuff. He claimed that folded sails wear along the folds, whereas a randomly stuffed sail has its folds in different places each time it is put away. If the sail were only fabric, I'd agree with him, but because of the resin in the sail it makes sense to me to keep folds to a minimum, and as previous respondents have said, a roll is better than a crease.
Tristan Jones said to stuff. He claimed that folded sails wear along the folds, whereas a randomly stuffed sail has its folds in different places each time it is put away. If the sail were only fabric, I'd agree with him, but because of the resin in the sail it makes sense to me to keep folds to a minimum, and as previous respondents have said, a roll is better than a crease.
Creases & air flow...
The reason for folding and not stuffing is to keep the creases in the same direction as the flow of air over the sail to keep distribances to a minimum. It is better to fold at diffenent points to keep the creases from becoming permanent, but to fold in the same axis as the flow and then roll. Steve
The reason for folding and not stuffing is to keep the creases in the same direction as the flow of air over the sail to keep distribances to a minimum. It is better to fold at diffenent points to keep the creases from becoming permanent, but to fold in the same axis as the flow and then roll. Steve
Roll Some, Stuff Others
On my Capri 14.2, I roll and place in a long bag. Some say best to roll around a large dia. piece of polyproplene pipe to keep creases from forming on new racing sails. On my old C22 with old dacron sails, I stuff because that's easy and practical while cruising.
On my Capri 14.2, I roll and place in a long bag. Some say best to roll around a large dia. piece of polyproplene pipe to keep creases from forming on new racing sails. On my old C22 with old dacron sails, I stuff because that's easy and practical while cruising.
Flake
I the previous owners of my sails stuffed but I'm a flaker (and sometimes a flake!). The only one that's a real PITA is my big 170 genny. But those are light air days so there are no big winds to mess up my nice little pile. The spinny is a different story... LaDonna
I the previous owners of my sails stuffed but I'm a flaker (and sometimes a flake!). The only one that's a real PITA is my big 170 genny. But those are light air days so there are no big winds to mess up my nice little pile. The spinny is a different story... LaDonna
'Dan Fogelberg system'.
Fold when you can, stuff when you have to; Fix if you must-- it's a part of the plan.
JC 2
Fold when you can, stuff when you have to; Fix if you must-- it's a part of the plan.
JC 2Ok to stuff nylon sails
Spinnakers and nylon drifters see very little ill affects caused by stuffing them. Dacron sails with hard resin are degraded by stuffing but I don't think it is as bad as some folks will lead you too believe.
Spinnakers and nylon drifters see very little ill affects caused by stuffing them. Dacron sails with hard resin are degraded by stuffing but I don't think it is as bad as some folks will lead you too believe.
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