Main Sail Cover for new Main Sail Question

[Ward H]

Is it common to need a new bigger main sail cover after purchasing a new main?
I cringe every time I put the cover on because it is so tight it bunches up all that nice new stiff sail material. The cover fit the old soft sail fine. I had the cover made when I bought the boat using the same dimensions from the old cover that was falling apart.
I only had the new main sail on the boat for a month or so in the fall and now less than a month this season.
No matter how nicely I flake the sail, I end up crunching it up a bit. One thing I did notice is that there are fewer slugs on the luff than on the old sail. I wonder if that is making the flakes hang lower, requiring a larger cover?

 

[Ward H]

Yep, compared photos of both old and new sails. Old sail had 14 slugs. New sail has 10. So with one flake per slug, the new sail has longer flakes.

I went back out and real carefully flaked the main again with no wind. The cover fit better but still bunches up the sail quite a bit. Will talk to the cover maker. Maybe he has a way to extend the girth around the boom and flaked sail.

 

[DannyS]

In my experience, that's normal. We had a new sail made about five years ago and had the same issues and I felt the same way about crushing it under the cover. But after a few months and if you train the sail to flake nicely, the old cover should work again. I thought for sure I'd need to remake our cover or add more material, but I'm glad I didn't.

 

[hewebb]

I had to have a skirt added to the cover when I installed a new sail.

 

[Warren Milberg]

When I bought a new main for my boat I also bought a new mainsail cover from SBO. The cover was too tight for the new, stiff, material. I asked SBO to send me some additional snap clasps -- which they did -- so I could connect them with longer nylon strips (about 6 inches) under the boom. This worked well.

 

[Ward H]

Well, I am trying something different that seems to help smooth the flakes and cause less "crunch" when putting the cover on.
First, I reef the main sail, if it isn't already. Most of the time I reef it when putting it away just to be ready for the heavier winds we get here on the BB but not always. I also make sure the outhaul is taught.
This helps to get the first few flakes smooth. Then it seems to be easier to get a good flaked sail.
Second, I put the cover on starting at the mast and working towards the boom end. There is enough room in the cover at the mast end to roll the bottom of the flakes under the boom. This seems to start the flakes rolling in as I progress towards the boom end, where the cover is tightest.
When done I ease the reefing lines and outhaul a bit.
I still may have the cover modified a bit but I'm good for now.

Thanks

 

[jssailem]

I bought the SBO cover but in talking to the maker decided to buy the clips and loose bottom rather than the snaps. The cover has a finished look but the bottom is open to permit air to circulate under the boom and sail. Would buy the same again.

 

[Ron20324]

John, openings in sail covers invite bird nests.

 

[jssailem]

Lucky so far no nest or Pacfic Northwest mildew. Thanks for the note of caution.