Furled Jib UV Protection

[davekimmel]

We got very lucky to find a perfect little marina on the Chesapeake where we can "land store" our 216. (Ingram Bay Marina near Wicomico Church). So now the mast is up and just waiting to be slipped into the Bay! Unlike storing with the mast down and covered, now the furled jib is out in the sunshine. The question is should I be doing something to protect the sail (d'huh...yes)? The real question is how? Some kind of sock? Send the sail off and have an edge strip sewed on? Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Paul Akers]

First, Check with the Dealer...

... to find out if it has a UV "protector" sewn in already - I may have one already. If not, do it ASAP or you may be sorry!

 

[George]

Sail Protection

You know UV protection extends the life of your headsail.

Smaller boats often use a sock on the jib to protect it. Some sails have a UV 6" strip of UV protection at the foot of the sail that is impregnated into the material - look closely. Some sailors use the sewn on sunbrella strip. Check with a local sailmaker.

 

[dmc]

Dave

If the boat is in storage for more than 4 weeks or so, I'd remove the sail and the halyards and oil the rigging. That's minimum for winter storage in Michigan. Don't forget the engine.


Peace

 

[Mr.Ernie]

You do want to use a sock!

Dave, Hunter offers, as do other sail makers, a zippered sleeve that you hoist with the spinnaker halyard. If you don't use a spinnaker, you will probably still find a block located just above the jib tang that can be used.

I think you will find that tying a line about 6' or 7' up between the jib cover and the mast will keep the cover from chafing through due to it's flogging around in the wind.

My 216 is on a lift on my dock 12 months a year and we just replaced the jib cover for the first time and will be replacing the halyards and other lines soon. (Purchased our boat in 2002.) The new cover is made of Sunbrella and I'll bet it will last for 8 to 10 years based on the looks of our Sunbrella sail cover.

 

[Bob16409]

Ernie--I stopped using my jib cover after it flogged my head stay tang to the point it parted underway and had to be replaced. Your assistance on that job was very helpful...I finally pulled the mast with a hurricane threatening, so I took a couple of shots to post but they look just like your fix. The UV protection sewn into the luff and foot seem to be doing the job without the cover, but I may be kidding myself. Were you suggesting to run a piece of line between the cover and the mast to minimize the flogging when using a cover? Sounds like a good idea but when it really blows down here on the coast the low profile of the rolled jib with bungee ties in several locations then wrapping the spinnaker halyard all the way down the jib seems to secure thing nicely.

 

[Rick D]

Jib Cover Flogging Stop

OK, hopefully this will post a photo I uploaded. My jib cover was also flogging in higher winds of 20-ish knots. I took a hint from my rigger and had web loops sewn in about evey 30" and then I 'laced' 3/8 black shock cord I got on e-bay around it. I now give a bit of a tug on the shock cord now and then as I hoist the 50' cover and all is well; no flogging. Scaled down, this may be a solution for trailerable-sized boats as well.

 

[Bob16409]

Re: Jib Cover Flogging Stop

Very neat idea! Wrapping the spinnaker halyard around the cover helps but the continuous tightening feature of the shock cord is a definate plus. Thanks. Bob

 

[davekimmel]

Thanks for your opinions!

I found one company that makes a "sock". Lee Sail Covers ~$150.

I also asked Hunter. No socks that Kyle was aware of, but he did say newer model 216s have a UV strip attached already. I didn't notice any on mine (06 model), but I will look closer next time.

North Sails will attached sunbrella material for $6.75 a foot. I figure that's a bit over $200.

Pending a closer look at the sail, the sock will be on the shopping list!

Thanks again!