How important is the sunguard on a roller jib? Do I need it for day sailing?

[newmac19]

Looking to get a sail cut for the roller on my Mac 19, was going to have the bottom cut, which has the sunguard on it.
Do I really need it if Im pretty much day triping with it and taking the mast down to trailer it out when Im done?
I want to say no, but what do I know :/
Just looking to get a cheap roller going on the new to me boat. The old roller is/was plastic and stored wet and might have some mouse damage, its pretty much good for a template at this point.

 

[Hollyberry]

If the sail is not going to spend considerable time rolled up in the sun, there's no need for a UV cover. You'll love the lack of extra weight and shape changing these covers can have. However if you don't take the sail down and stow it below, but leave it rolled up alongside the mast you should probably keep it. FWIW it's not that big a deal to remove a small sail like that before dropping the rig.

 

[dlochner]

UV is really damaging to sails. If the sail is going stored outside in the sun, then by all means keep the UV cover on it or you will be buying a new sail much sooner than you want. If the sail is going home or below decks after each sail. Then the cover isn't necessary.

 

[shemandr]

I'm not clear on if the sun guard is on the foot, if I'm reading the OP correctly. Usually it's on the leech.
In any event the OP doesn't need uv protection for a sail that is not up 24/7. And most of those protective covers impair performance. For day sailors this is an issue. My take is lose it.

 

[Hollyberry]

The UV cover is always on both foot and leech.

 

[kappykaplan]

The UV cover is always on both foot and leech.

 

[Tally Ho]

Yes, UV protection is always on foot and leach. If the sail stays on the furler, and exposed to sunlight, it should be protected.

If you are rooming the sail, or taking down the rig and storing the boat in a garage, then you wouldn’t really need it.

You can have the loft add the UV cover after they recut the sail.


Greg

 

[Joe]

No sun cover needed if the furled sail isn't stored in the sun.