I was taught to fold and flake the headsails before putting them in the bags. I have a friend who "stuffs" his more wadded than folded. He says there is no difference as long as the top comes out first. Is he "full of the old stuff" as usual or am I being too fussy?
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Try rolling
I race a Catalina 22 one design and top notch sails are a must so we take good care of them. I roll my sails on 3 inch pvc drain pipe you can buy at Lowes. It is cheap, fairly light and both the main and genoa will fit inside the cabin on the Catalina. It's a challenge on deck in windy conditions but otherwise it works.
I race a Catalina 22 one design and top notch sails are a must so we take good care of them. I roll my sails on 3 inch pvc drain pipe you can buy at Lowes. It is cheap, fairly light and both the main and genoa will fit inside the cabin on the Catalina. It's a challenge on deck in windy conditions but otherwise it works.
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Bill Colombo
Fold Your Sails
Paul, Don't listen to you friend. His advice is worth as much as you paid for it. Stuffing a sail into a sailbag is one of the worst things you can do to it. All the extra creasing will cause premature shrinkage and breakdown of the sailcloth. If you want your sail to look good and last as long as possible you should flake the sail when you are not using it. Thanks, Bill Colombo Doyle Sails
Paul, Don't listen to you friend. His advice is worth as much as you paid for it. Stuffing a sail into a sailbag is one of the worst things you can do to it. All the extra creasing will cause premature shrinkage and breakdown of the sailcloth. If you want your sail to look good and last as long as possible you should flake the sail when you are not using it. Thanks, Bill Colombo Doyle Sails
Folding puts the crease in the same place each tim
Doesn't this stress a small part of the sail more severely leading to sail damage? Stuffing puts many creases in but never the same place so less stress on any one piece of sail? If this should be the case we should see sails breaking down along the flake line. Does that happen? Geoff
Doesn't this stress a small part of the sail more severely leading to sail damage? Stuffing puts many creases in but never the same place so less stress on any one piece of sail? If this should be the case we should see sails breaking down along the flake line. Does that happen? Geoff
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Bill Colombo
Folding vs Stuffing
Geoff, You are right that repeated creasing in the same area is not good for a sail. Stuffing the sail into a bag just creates so many more creases than folding that it is not a good idea. When you stuff it the next time chances are that you are going to crease it over or across prior creasing. Also when you fold a sail you should try not to fold it in the same place every time. Just vary the size of the first flake and all the rest will line up accordingly. Folding minimizes the amount of creasing. Thanks, Bill C. Doyle Sails
Geoff, You are right that repeated creasing in the same area is not good for a sail. Stuffing the sail into a bag just creates so many more creases than folding that it is not a good idea. When you stuff it the next time chances are that you are going to crease it over or across prior creasing. Also when you fold a sail you should try not to fold it in the same place every time. Just vary the size of the first flake and all the rest will line up accordingly. Folding minimizes the amount of creasing. Thanks, Bill C. Doyle Sails
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Tom S
Bill what about stuffing an Asymetrical Spinaker
I just use the ATN chute scoop and then stuff the whole thing into the turtle bag I have. This light nylon shouldn't be an issue correct??
I just use the ATN chute scoop and then stuff the whole thing into the turtle bag I have. This light nylon shouldn't be an issue correct??
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Bill Colombo
Stowing Nylon Sails
Tom, Since nylon is much lighter and has much less of the malamine coating than woven Dacrons it is OK to stuff a nylon spinnaker into a bag. In fact there is not much choice since you need a lot of room to fold a kite. If you are not going to use it for a long time it would be nice to fold it prior to putting it in storage. An ATN Sleeve actually is a great way to stow a nylon sail. Just flake the sleeve into the bag. Thanks, Bill C. Doyle Sails
Tom, Since nylon is much lighter and has much less of the malamine coating than woven Dacrons it is OK to stuff a nylon spinnaker into a bag. In fact there is not much choice since you need a lot of room to fold a kite. If you are not going to use it for a long time it would be nice to fold it prior to putting it in storage. An ATN Sleeve actually is a great way to stow a nylon sail. Just flake the sleeve into the bag. Thanks, Bill C. Doyle Sails
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Tom S
Bill, thanks foir your response now 2nd question
Assuming creases and wrinkling are not desired, wouldn't "rolling" the sale be the most ideal method of sail storage. For instance (other than wear from weather AND uv) keeping a Genny sail on the roller furling is the best thing for it. 3rd question. Since I have a a dutchman and flake my mainsail pretty much in the same folds each time, is that going to cause me problems? It seems like most boaters flake their main in the same folds
Assuming creases and wrinkling are not desired, wouldn't "rolling" the sale be the most ideal method of sail storage. For instance (other than wear from weather AND uv) keeping a Genny sail on the roller furling is the best thing for it. 3rd question. Since I have a a dutchman and flake my mainsail pretty much in the same folds each time, is that going to cause me problems? It seems like most boaters flake their main in the same folds
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