Maine and binnacle covers....maybe others

[Mark Maulden]

In the PNW or NE, does everyone take their main/helm covers with them on a 2 mo cruise? Or does the boat go naked!! My maine cover is a heavey very well made cover and has to go around lazy jacks etc. Also have to find a place down below to store and they need to be folded well. Should I cover the main every night..(etiquette)? I'm starting to think about leaving them in the dock box as I have for short trips and go rogue.. Does thou state to cover canvas at night? Covers come off in the morning to be ready to sail wanted or needed. Always messing with covers. Im thinking leave them behind. Theres no sun at night and they are uncovered during daytime anyway with relatively low UV exposure.
Whadda you think?

 

[Head Sail]

I don't cover the main if I'm using the boat on a cruise. UV isn't much of an issue in the PNW. If birds became a problem then maybe I'd cover it. Any opportunity to eliminate useless work I'll take. Never heard of any boat etiquette with regards to a main cover.
Helm cover I'll use more frequently since there are electronics on my helm that are not covered by a Bimini.

 

[AnsleyS]

Go ahead and go commando, we will not care. There will always be less tended boats around our coast and most of us notice your sailing and anchoring more than we do your spit and polish.

 

[capta]

I know of no etiquette regarding sail and binnacle covers. Their function is to protect the equipment from the elements, no more. Please yourself.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

On the Gulf coast. When cruising, and anchoring for a night, or two, the covers stay off. Might need that sail quickly. If at anchor for a long period, in a well protected spot, I cover-Or if in a marina for several days.

In my avatar you see the main and jib are not covered. That was an overnight stay in Florida

 

[Benny17441]

At anchorage I rarely do but when docking at a marina I always dress up the boat. Its a personal choice. I was taught by a gentleman sailor that believed that tidying up and dressing the boat when going into a marina shows some degree of seamanship and projects a good first impression among those that do not know you. On the receiving end when I see a sailor pull into a dock and before doing anything else he places his covers I think to myself "he was taught well". A professional crew gets paid to dress up the boat at the end of the day for the benefit of the owner. In my boat I like to behave professionally for my own benefit.

 

[ifmdalvey]

Having had all my RYA instruction through the Joint Services Sailing in Portsmouth, sail covers on once the hook is set. So yes i have always done it that way, now i have a real reason, Having just bought a brand new main sail, i want it to last as long as possible so yet again the sail cover goes on before the first can is cracked.

 

[Rick D]

In SoCal, I cover the mainsail when staying at a yacht club and always fly my club burgee and tidy up the boat. That is generally the standard of etiquette followed. However, if I am simply in a marina guest slip or overnight at an anchorage to leave early, I don't put the sail cover on. In any case, I don't take the brightwork covers, helm cover, jib cover, or winch covers.

 

[THECUSCUS]

One thing nobody has mentioned, and that's the sail cover also helps keep the sail tidy when the wind is blowing hard. I know the sail ties are the main securing device, but if a good wind gets in the folds it could cause some issues. Especially if your ties work loose (they shouldn't be that tight anyway).