Main sail winter storage

[thaeni]

I normally remove both sails for the winter and store them in the boat. This
year was planning on leaving the main sail on the boom with the cover on
and wrapped with a tarp.
Do you think this would be ok....?

 

[Justin_NSA]

I see it done around here. I Googled it and I don't find any sailmakers who say it's okay to store them on the boom.

 

[shemandr]

Oh no, not a winter storage thread? Already? The best part of the sailing year is just beginning. And on top of that I just got my winter check list from the boatyard. Have they no mercy?
Since you asked, I never did that. It is fairly common around here but with the fierce winter winds I'd be concerned about winter ripping the cover and unfurling the sail, or just the added windage. If you value your main, or at least paid a hansom sum for it, wouldn't you want to protect it?
I've posted this before but as a reminder about what I see going to boatyards.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Good way to promote mold growth on the sail fabric?

 

[Tally Ho]

I left my steering wheel on with the helm cover in place over the winter. Boat was covered with a winter cover.

The relentless wind in the Windy City did a real number on my helm cover where it rubbed on the wheel all winter.

I would be worried about chafing and damage to the sail, even if covered.

And as @Don S/V ILLusion mentioned, if it gets wet (which is inevitable during our long, snowy, wet winter), good chance for mold and mildew.

Greg

 

[Rick486]

I normally remove both sails for the winter and store them in the boat. This
year was planning on leaving the main sail on the boom with the cover on
and wrapped with a tarp.
Do you think this would be ok....?

Why? Why wouldn't you take it off? Not a big deal. I have a large mains'l and it takes maybe 30 minutes to drop and fold. I don't get it.

 

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[dziedzicmj]

you can leave it on the boom and store it in the cabin (if that works for you)

 

[Ken Cross]

Why? Why wouldn't you take it off? Not a big deal. I have a large mains'l and it takes maybe 30 minutes to drop and fold. I don't get it.

I can never figure out when I'm done for the season. Now it's raining and my new this year jib is soaked. The latest forecast says at least 5 more days of rain. I can't even dry it out.

Ken

 

[shemandr]

That's not a problem here. The insurance Co's say you're done Oct 31st. You can buy a rider for longer but the boat yards frown on late hauls. Then they complain about having no work over the winter.

 

[Ron20324]

The only con I can think of, if it is on the boom and flaked down, that would be maybe 6 months it can "take a set" unless you redo it once in a while. Then again, you get the same problem if you take it off and fold it up in the house. Just do what works for you unless you see it from some authoritative source why you shouldn't. /// I can take off my main with a small line woven through the mast slugs. Easy to carry, and you can hang the sail by the slugs and take the weight off the sail cloth.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

If I’m not going out for for more than two months I might take them off, but as Ken says I plan on sailing all winter. Even have a multi-week February cruise in the works.

A heater is on the way to make it more enjoyable!! And they make foul weather gear in the off chance it might rain in the PNW

Les

 

[907Juice]

I take my sails down and roll them around a pvc pipe. Stack them on the top of shelves in the garage. They stay nice and warm and dry all winter.

 

[sailme88]

Sounds like you also leave your rig stepped.. Unstepping may incur extra costs initially but it allow the rigging to " rest", and limits the weather on halyards and masthead instruments. Turnbuckles that are not freed become galled and being in Chi town you are in a freeze thaw zone. Very difficult to cover a boat with a mast stepped and not have water get thru. Realize this is a field from the sail question... but it is related

 

[plenny7]

Sounds like you also leave your rig stepped.. Unstepping may incur extra costs initially but it allow the rigging to " rest", and limits the weather on halyards and masthead instruments. Turnbuckles that are not freed become galled and being in Chi town you are in a freeze thaw zone. Very difficult to cover a boat with a mast stepped and not have water get thru. Realize this is a field from the sail question... but it is related

Why does rigging need to "rest"? I assume when boats are down south and don't get hauled out in the winter the rigging doesn't "rest". Most folks here leave the masts up every winter,as do we.

 

[plenny7]

 

[907Juice]

Yeah I leave my boat in the water all winter with the mast up.

 

[Apex]

winter is a great opportunity to take the sails off and complete a thorough inspection. Repairs can be made before they become big problems. Once repairs are affected, flake and roll and put in your sailbag, store in a dry location. Why subject them to more deteriorating conditions if not necessary?

 

[artboas]

Why? Why wouldn't you take it off? Not a big deal. I have a large mains'l and it takes maybe 30 minutes to drop and fold. I don't get it.

What's even worse is people who leave furling mains in the mast over the winter.
What's so hard about dropping & folding a sail??

 

[907Juice]

What's even worse is people who leave furling mains in the mast over the winter.
What's so hard about dropping & folding a sail??

Well, ya wanna know what is worse than that? People who leave roller furling jibs on all winter and don’t check on the boat... I’ve see quite a few getting torn up during a winter storm. Makes me sad... just spend an hour or so and take them down and store them warm and dry.