Sail questions

[Steve]

I've got a few questions regarding my North main & 150. Whats the best way to clean the sails after the season ? I've heard that the machine wash method is ultimately harmful as it breaks the long fibers that give your sail fabic it's stiffness & shape. What type of cleaner is recommended ? Also, with my sails, there is a small cord that runs inside the leech from the clew where it can be adjusted in a small clam cleat to a point near the top. If the cord is pulled, it will change the shape (Maybe a light air trim feature ?). Does anyone know what this is called & how/when it can be used ?? Thanks for any input... Steve

 

[Joe]

Don't machine wash

You can wash them yourself with a mild, and a soft brush. Pre-soak the dacron sail in a large tub (I use a large plastic kids' wading pool. Lay it out on the lawn and gently scrub the sail. Don't use abrasive cleaners. Spot removers,like K2r, can be used safely on dacron sails. Hose it off with fresh water and let the sail dry completley before re-folding. Use this opportunity to carefully inspect your sail for damage. A better option, if your budget allows, is to take the sail to a sailmaker who has access to a commercial sail-washing facility. They are able to use special chemicals you and I don't want to mess with.The cord in question is called a leechline. It is not generally designed to affect sail trim but rather to keep the leech from shaking/fluttering. Besides being annoying to the sailor, a fluttering leech can greatly increase the rate of sail fatigue. Tension the leechline just enough to remove the shaking. Check the line occassionally to avoid its becoming over tensioned.

 

[Tom 410]

name-a-thingy

Steve, The cord running up the leech is called a Cunningham, and indeed you percieved it's intended use. Although I'm not a go fast sailor (I prefer to luff along) it can get you some way on light air days. Good Sailin' Tom 410

 

[Aldo]

I use a big Plastic Trash Can

Steve: I wash my sails in a big plastic trash can, that I keep just for the sails. I fill it with very warm water and push the sail into it. I use Wisk liquid detergent, because that is what we have. I have bought sail cleaning solution in the past and it's fine, but it isn't always available. I push the sail down into the warm water and try to make sure that both sides of it gets wet. Then, I move it around as often as I can, again trying to make sure that all of the sail gets wet. When one sail is done, we use the same water on other sails. To rinse them, we usually put them over our clothesline and rinse with the hose, and let them dry thoroughly, as Joe said. I store the sails in plastic trash cans over the winter, with the lids tightly closed. I have heard about mice getting to sails and doing hundreds of dollars worth of damage. I can't risk that. Aldo

 

[GARRY @ S/V TASHTEGO]

Cunningham

Just to make sure Steve is not too confused, the thingy is, as Joe says, a leech line. The cunningham is a line which runs up from below the boom, through a grommet in the luff of the sail (the side along the mast) several inches above the boom and back down to a cleat below the boom. It is used to flatten and depower the sail when tightened. It is named for renowned sailor (and auto builder/racer) Briggs Cunningham and is occasionally (I'm told) called a "clever pig" in Britain.

 

[Tom 410]

oops - Garry is right

Steve,I apologize for the misinformation - Garry was absolutley correct in his response. Tom 410

 

[David Bergevin]

leech line

The line that you refer to is probably on yor North 150% Genoa. It is an adjustable leech line; it is used in light to moderate (5-12) to eliminate the helicopterflutter that occurs in lighter air, it will distort the sail shape if pulled too tight so beware of flow across the leech (hooked sail).I hope this is what you are trying to find out.Fair winds.