I just received my new Ulman sails for my 1980 Catalina 22. The main is a fully battened loose foot sail and it flakes nicely on the boom. I only remove it at the end of the year. It came flaked and rolled so that is a fairly straight method to follow in the fall. My question is mainly about the 150 genoa. It also was flaked and rolled but that is almost impossible to do on the boat. Is there another way to store it or should I follow the original Ulman style and flake and roll it on the dock at the end of the day. How about short term storage during the day after a sail change. Thanks for your help. Ray
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How do you fold new sails? Main and 150 Genoa
To flake your genny on-board is very easy. By using the lifeline as you use the boom for the main you drop the sail and flake it on the lifeline as you drop. Then pulling the clew and tack taught lift the sail on deck and fold from clew to tack. One sail tie holds it all in place. When you're ready for your next sail, the tack is ready as the first thing you attach. The key with flaking your genny is to keep the luff as close as possible to the front. When the sail is finally folded the entire flacked luff should be visible on the last fold leaving the tack and head of the sail ready for re-deployment.
To flake your genny on-board is very easy. By using the lifeline as you use the boom for the main you drop the sail and flake it on the lifeline as you drop. Then pulling the clew and tack taught lift the sail on deck and fold from clew to tack. One sail tie holds it all in place. When you're ready for your next sail, the tack is ready as the first thing you attach. The key with flaking your genny is to keep the luff as close as possible to the front. When the sail is finally folded the entire flacked luff should be visible on the last fold leaving the tack and head of the sail ready for re-deployment.
Easy
I flake on the boom for the main as you described, but I don't take the main off as I sail all year. For the jib, I just roll it up on the roller furling. That is the easiest bit of equipment you can get. It makes jumping out for a short sail extremely easy.
I flake on the boom for the main as you described, but I don't take the main off as I sail all year. For the jib, I just roll it up on the roller furling. That is the easiest bit of equipment you can get. It makes jumping out for a short sail extremely easy.
My Way
Tie off removed sail using the bow stern and center of ship with rail lifelines as limits to gather and flake the sail. Keeping control of sail with lines to pull taught and arrest the wind, organize the folding and move back and forth getting the folds to pleat. Dry, clean bare feet work walking back and forth on the sail. Then roll and tie to place in sail bag. Doing this single handed, using tension lines, keeping the activity on the deck has worked for me each time. Having a plan to beat the wind lifting the sail is most important. And take your time to get sail folded neatly. Good Luck!
Tie off removed sail using the bow stern and center of ship with rail lifelines as limits to gather and flake the sail. Keeping control of sail with lines to pull taught and arrest the wind, organize the folding and move back and forth getting the folds to pleat. Dry, clean bare feet work walking back and forth on the sail. Then roll and tie to place in sail bag. Doing this single handed, using tension lines, keeping the activity on the deck has worked for me each time. Having a plan to beat the wind lifting the sail is most important. And take your time to get sail folded neatly. Good Luck!
I might try Alan's method ...
The first time I used our new dacron genny a couple of years ago I thought I would make the effort to fold it before bagging it. I gave up within a few minutes. I've been stuffing the sail in the bag ever since. I felt bad the first few times but don't feel that way any longer. I do another bad thing, too. I coil the sheets and put them in the bag on top of the sail but at least we are in fresh water and the lines are always dry when I put them away. The first several times I stuffed the sail in the bag, it was even a little hard to do that because the sails were nice and stiff. They've softened up nicely and are easier to stuff in the bag now.
When I dump the sail out on the foredeck when we begin our sail, I have to admit that I am not sure where I will find the tack, or even IF I will find the tack before the head flys off and drags in the water. If you think that is embarrassing, you should see my Hollywood anchor toss (I've been reading the other posts on unseamanlike behavior and can relate, unfortunately *x).
The first time I used our new dacron genny a couple of years ago I thought I would make the effort to fold it before bagging it. I gave up within a few minutes. I've been stuffing the sail in the bag ever since. I felt bad the first few times but don't feel that way any longer. I do another bad thing, too. I coil the sheets and put them in the bag on top of the sail but at least we are in fresh water and the lines are always dry when I put them away. The first several times I stuffed the sail in the bag, it was even a little hard to do that because the sails were nice and stiff. They've softened up nicely and are easier to stuff in the bag now.
When I dump the sail out on the foredeck when we begin our sail, I have to admit that I am not sure where I will find the tack, or even IF I will find the tack before the head flys off and drags in the water. If you think that is embarrassing, you should see my Hollywood anchor toss (I've been reading the other posts on unseamanlike behavior and can relate, unfortunately *x).
I'm with you Scott, I don't even make my bed!.
The genaker and jib I will stuff into a bag after a couple of days of drying. The genoa is often wet and needs to dry off. I generally fold it over and stick it down the front hatch. I know I'm going to use it in a couple of days and that gives it a chance to air out. Since the recent thread I have been flaking my main more carefully, this place is truly inspirational. Frank
The genaker and jib I will stuff into a bag after a couple of days of drying. The genoa is often wet and needs to dry off. I generally fold it over and stick it down the front hatch. I know I'm going to use it in a couple of days and that gives it a chance to air out. Since the recent thread I have been flaking my main more carefully, this place is truly inspirational. Frank
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