Any thoughts out there regarding storage of a roller furling head sail over the winter? Several boats in our local (Michigan) yard still have the furled sail up, tightly wrapped, with Sunbrella uv protection. If there is a way to insure that the sail will remain furled through the winter, is here any harm in leaving it alone?
Headsail storage over winter
- Thread starter rickwarner
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Take it down
Go ahead and take it down. It will be a good time to inspect it for wear. Just wad it up in a big bag and keep it in the basement,storeroom, or even inside the boat out of the weather. Even in the cold garage will be better than furled on the stay. You could tie it up tightly enough that it wouldn't unfurl but why take the chance.
Go ahead and take it down. It will be a good time to inspect it for wear. Just wad it up in a big bag and keep it in the basement,storeroom, or even inside the boat out of the weather. Even in the cold garage will be better than furled on the stay. You could tie it up tightly enough that it wouldn't unfurl but why take the chance.
Storage of headsail
If you take the sails off and store them in a sail bag, they will last much longer. There is a recommended way to fold and store sails to extend their life. If you are unsure of the proper way to fold a sail go to this link: http://www.sailcare.com/fold&measureLG.shtml
If you take the sails off and store them in a sail bag, they will last much longer. There is a recommended way to fold and store sails to extend their life. If you are unsure of the proper way to fold a sail go to this link: http://www.sailcare.com/fold&measureLG.shtml
tug & george are right
Take it off, take it home, a store it dry. All my sails come off and go home as well as all cushions, carpet, and any electronics that could be damaged by the temps. LCD screens don't do well below 15 degrees and may be damaged. Spent my day striping the boat down and packing away at home. 2 days left, 1 on winterizing, and 1 on cover. Pray for Wind, Lugeman
Take it off, take it home, a store it dry. All my sails come off and go home as well as all cushions, carpet, and any electronics that could be damaged by the temps. LCD screens don't do well below 15 degrees and may be damaged. Spent my day striping the boat down and packing away at home. 2 days left, 1 on winterizing, and 1 on cover. Pray for Wind, Lugeman
take it down
I am also on Lake Michigan. Most people remove their sails and have them cleaned over the winter. It's agood time to inspect them for wear and a good time to check haylards too. If you have never done this you will learn something about your boat at this time too. I always thought that people who left their sails out in the winter elements were either lazy or they just didn't care about their boat.
I am also on Lake Michigan. Most people remove their sails and have them cleaned over the winter. It's agood time to inspect them for wear and a good time to check haylards too. If you have never done this you will learn something about your boat at this time too. I always thought that people who left their sails out in the winter elements were either lazy or they just didn't care about their boat.
Do you want to extend the life of your sails
Definitely remove your sails. I've also seen boats with their main and furling headsail left on through the winter. The sails will hold in moisture which frezzes and is harder on the fabric. Additionally the cold wind, snow, freezing, thawing all help age the sails. If you were a sail, wouldn't you prefer to be in a warm dry environment. Most furling instuctional also recommend the groves to be washed and lubricated each season. A frozen luf tape cannot be good for the furling groove. Take care of your boat in the offseason and then you can enjoy it during the sailing season.
Definitely remove your sails. I've also seen boats with their main and furling headsail left on through the winter. The sails will hold in moisture which frezzes and is harder on the fabric. Additionally the cold wind, snow, freezing, thawing all help age the sails. If you were a sail, wouldn't you prefer to be in a warm dry environment. Most furling instuctional also recommend the groves to be washed and lubricated each season. A frozen luf tape cannot be good for the furling groove. Take care of your boat in the offseason and then you can enjoy it during the sailing season.
Piece of Mind
All of the points the other responders make are good ones, plus consider this......I've been in Holland MIchigan in a January blizzard and I know how the wind can howl of the lake. Sitting home in front of the fire do you really want to have to worry if your headsail has come unfurled and is shredding...or even worse, knocked your boat over on the cradle.
All of the points the other responders make are good ones, plus consider this......I've been in Holland MIchigan in a January blizzard and I know how the wind can howl of the lake. Sitting home in front of the fire do you really want to have to worry if your headsail has come unfurled and is shredding...or even worse, knocked your boat over on the cradle.
Take it off!
Always take your sails off in winter in Michigan. The wind just howls off Lake Michigan at times. Snow and ice will get into everything. If the sail were to come slightly unfurled it could be ripped to shreds in a matter of hours. Just a couple of weeks ago we had 50-60 MPH gusts off Lake Michigan. Besides, the sails don't take up that much room to store, and its a good time to inspect for wear and damage, and get the sail to a sail loft if it needs any work at all.
Always take your sails off in winter in Michigan. The wind just howls off Lake Michigan at times. Snow and ice will get into everything. If the sail were to come slightly unfurled it could be ripped to shreds in a matter of hours. Just a couple of weeks ago we had 50-60 MPH gusts off Lake Michigan. Besides, the sails don't take up that much room to store, and its a good time to inspect for wear and damage, and get the sail to a sail loft if it needs any work at all.
Someone has to have an opposing view
Leave your jib up and furled. True, it may come unfurled during a winter storm , but this is only a doorway to opportunity. The jib, once unfurled in the winter storm, could become shredded and you might be able to get a brand new sail from you insurance company. Another poosibility, especially if you are on jack stands, is that the unfurled jib will pull your boat off the stands and into the boat next door. Two beneifts here: You maybe able to get a new boat and you will certainly get to meet your neighbor. We all need new friends. When leaving our boats unattended - even for a week - a good seaman prepares for the worst, which can happen at any time. Plan for the worst - it may only payoff once in your lifetime, but that will make the prepration worthwhile. When I leave my boat unattedended, I make sure that I will not later say, "I should have......"
Leave your jib up and furled. True, it may come unfurled during a winter storm , but this is only a doorway to opportunity. The jib, once unfurled in the winter storm, could become shredded and you might be able to get a brand new sail from you insurance company. Another poosibility, especially if you are on jack stands, is that the unfurled jib will pull your boat off the stands and into the boat next door. Two beneifts here: You maybe able to get a new boat and you will certainly get to meet your neighbor. We all need new friends. When leaving our boats unattended - even for a week - a good seaman prepares for the worst, which can happen at any time. Plan for the worst - it may only payoff once in your lifetime, but that will make the prepration worthwhile. When I leave my boat unattedended, I make sure that I will not later say, "I should have......"
Here is a "partial" opposing view
I don't disagree with anything said here. Well maybe the insurance fraud part. ;-) If you are in the northern climate I would not hesitate to take off the main and headsails during the winter. We have lived in Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis and I can't remember a single day in winter when I wanted to go out on a boat. However, here in OK, we can have days even in the middle of January and February that can be pleasant. So while I intend to take down our furled headsail, I will leave the main under cover so that we can go out when the weather permits. As far as an accidental furl, we use multiple bungee cords around the sail. If one fails, the others should hold. Sunday forecast: 75 degrees with 10-13kts sout wind. Sorry, just couldn't help myself.
I don't disagree with anything said here. Well maybe the insurance fraud part. ;-) If you are in the northern climate I would not hesitate to take off the main and headsails during the winter. We have lived in Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis and I can't remember a single day in winter when I wanted to go out on a boat. However, here in OK, we can have days even in the middle of January and February that can be pleasant. So while I intend to take down our furled headsail, I will leave the main under cover so that we can go out when the weather permits. As far as an accidental furl, we use multiple bungee cords around the sail. If one fails, the others should hold. Sunday forecast: 75 degrees with 10-13kts sout wind. Sorry, just couldn't help myself.
Take it down.
That way you'll have nothing to worry about & it'll be better for the sales. If you don't have room to take the sails home you can store them in the cabin.
That way you'll have nothing to worry about & it'll be better for the sales. If you don't have room to take the sails home you can store them in the cabin.
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