I need to clean my main sail this winter. Is this a job I can do myself or do I need to have it professionaly done? (how much$$). I was thinking I can take them to a car wash and use the pressurized hose there to do it. There not very bad, just need some touching up.
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Sail Washing
I have my done every year at a local sail loft. For my 23.5 it cost less than $100.00 for both the main and jib including small repairs of popped stitches, etc... My sails are nearly 8 years old, and still look quite good. I think I'll send them to Sail Rite this winter to get them reconditioned. Well worth it.
I have my done every year at a local sail loft. For my 23.5 it cost less than $100.00 for both the main and jib including small repairs of popped stitches, etc... My sails are nearly 8 years old, and still look quite good. I think I'll send them to Sail Rite this winter to get them reconditioned. Well worth it.
Car Wash? - ech!
I'd be cautious about a car wash. The detergents are harsh and the pressure may harm the sail. Ask around the boat yard or the cleansers for a recommendation. They usually charge by the pound. A sail loft often "farms" them out to an industrial cleanser who has a large-capacity machine. Some lofts will wash them by had by spreading them out.
I'd be cautious about a car wash. The detergents are harsh and the pressure may harm the sail. Ask around the boat yard or the cleansers for a recommendation. They usually charge by the pound. A sail loft often "farms" them out to an industrial cleanser who has a large-capacity machine. Some lofts will wash them by had by spreading them out.
You guys are kidding right?
Ever since my first Hobie I was taught to lay the sails out in the grass and wash them with water only. Any stains were scrubbed out with mild detergent and bleach. Rust stains were removed with iron out. For $100 dollars a year for your professional cleaning you could have bought new. I'd make sure the peak of the draft of your sails is still in the front of the sail. If it is not I would not send it to Sailcare. While they do a good job and eight year old sail may need a recut to improve pointing and reduce heeling. If you draft is in the middle of the sail I'd put the money toward a new sail.
Ever since my first Hobie I was taught to lay the sails out in the grass and wash them with water only. Any stains were scrubbed out with mild detergent and bleach. Rust stains were removed with iron out. For $100 dollars a year for your professional cleaning you could have bought new. I'd make sure the peak of the draft of your sails is still in the front of the sail. If it is not I would not send it to Sailcare. While they do a good job and eight year old sail may need a recut to improve pointing and reduce heeling. If you draft is in the middle of the sail I'd put the money toward a new sail.
no car wash
Do NOT take them to a carwash. Way too harsh. Either buy the sail cleaners avaiable at boat stores and do it in your bathtub or better yet, send it to Sailcare where they can clean and recondition your sails. I've heard too many people say what a good job they do to not seriously consider them.
Do NOT take them to a carwash. Way too harsh. Either buy the sail cleaners avaiable at boat stores and do it in your bathtub or better yet, send it to Sailcare where they can clean and recondition your sails. I've heard too many people say what a good job they do to not seriously consider them.
Agree with Frank
I have also always washed my own sails. I use a mild solution of bleach water. The only concern is to make sure you thoroughly rinse the sails after washing. A local sail maker gave a sail care seminar to our sailing association and he agreed with this method. His other idea is to wash the sails by soaking in your swimming pool if you have one. The chlorine loosens the dirt - once again need to thoroughly rinse.
I have also always washed my own sails. I use a mild solution of bleach water. The only concern is to make sure you thoroughly rinse the sails after washing. A local sail maker gave a sail care seminar to our sailing association and he agreed with this method. His other idea is to wash the sails by soaking in your swimming pool if you have one. The chlorine loosens the dirt - once again need to thoroughly rinse.
sails in the grass
The guy who runs my loft says never lay your sails out in the grass to wash them. He says they pick up mildew and fungus that way. He says you're better off leaving them unwashed. He also says that washing your sails needs to be done only every couple of years. He follows this schedule when he stores my sails in the offseason.
The guy who runs my loft says never lay your sails out in the grass to wash them. He says they pick up mildew and fungus that way. He says you're better off leaving them unwashed. He also says that washing your sails needs to be done only every couple of years. He follows this schedule when he stores my sails in the offseason.
Good deal
I just cleaned my two-year-old sails with a kit I bought many years ago. Just soaked 'em in the tub and used a brush on the bad spots. Came out nice and clean, but then they weren't real filthy either. I just went looking for this stuff and found it at 50% off, which means $4.50 for a pint which will clean your main. I had a kit which included the sail bath, sail bleach, and a bottle of foaming sail cleaner for spots. The bath worked but I like the kiddie swimming pool idea. I also thought about using my hot tub and let the jets do the work.
I just cleaned my two-year-old sails with a kit I bought many years ago. Just soaked 'em in the tub and used a brush on the bad spots. Came out nice and clean, but then they weren't real filthy either. I just went looking for this stuff and found it at 50% off, which means $4.50 for a pint which will clean your main. I had a kit which included the sail bath, sail bleach, and a bottle of foaming sail cleaner for spots. The bath worked but I like the kiddie swimming pool idea. I also thought about using my hot tub and let the jets do the work.
flagpole drying
I have washed my main and jib for an H23 in a large plastic trash can with mild detergent. Rinse really well. I planned to lay it out in the grass to dry when I looked up and saw my flag pole just waiting for the job. I ran the sail up the pole and it was fluff dried to perfection in no time at all with no worry about contamination.
I have washed my main and jib for an H23 in a large plastic trash can with mild detergent. Rinse really well. I planned to lay it out in the grass to dry when I looked up and saw my flag pole just waiting for the job. I ran the sail up the pole and it was fluff dried to perfection in no time at all with no worry about contamination.
Dog Lead
I use the dog lead that we have off the back of the house (after cleaningup appropriately, of course). My jib is done very easy using this method since it has hanks which I just attach to the dog lead. I then take a couple of spare lines and just strecth the sail out. The main is done in a similar manner but I need to use some good clothespins to hold the main onto the lead. Using this method, I can wash and scrub the saild where they needs it. The sails stay off the ground and they dry very quickly if there's just a small breeze.
I use the dog lead that we have off the back of the house (after cleaningup appropriately, of course). My jib is done very easy using this method since it has hanks which I just attach to the dog lead. I then take a couple of spare lines and just strecth the sail out. The main is done in a similar manner but I need to use some good clothespins to hold the main onto the lead. Using this method, I can wash and scrub the saild where they needs it. The sails stay off the ground and they dry very quickly if there's just a small breeze.
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