Sail Storage

[Jim H SR]

Need to know best procedures to store sails over-winter in upper WI. Heated or unheated or no matter ? Store sails rolled or folded? Prefer to store in unheated garage in rafters....

 

[Don Evans]

I generally lay out my sails on the lawn. Give them a quick wash with soap flakes, and a scrub brush, dry them a bit with an old towel. Fold them loosely, no hard creases. I am going to store mine in the house for first time. Last year the little critters got in and ate 3 holes through my mainsail. I wonder if a few mothballs thrown in the bag would have helped?Don

 

[Tom Ehmke]

I store mine in an unheated room in the garage called the "boat room". It's where I keep rigging, dockbox, boom, and all the other stuff I bring home except the interior cushions. I store those in the house where it is warm and the humidity is controlled. When I had new sails made 4 yrs. ago, the sailmaker made some excellent bags for storage and transport. I fold them and store them in the bags. Last year I had them cleaned and was pleased to see that the sailmaker folded them the same way I did. Make sure you fold them relatively parallel to the foot of the sail to avoid making creases that would run opposite the direction the wind passes over the sail. Check a reference like Chapman's to see how to flake the sails properly or ask a sailor at the marina to help you.Tom

 

[Rob R.]

Rolled, if possible

If you are going to let them sit on top of the beams in the garage, rolling them will keep creases down to a minimum. A J-24 captain that I used to crew for used to roll his sails at the end of each race, as did the whole fleet, so I am going to assume this is best for the sail. Pretty easy to do, also. As for storing outside, even subzero weather should not hurt them too much, in comparison to what the sun does to 'em. It may make the fibers contract a bit, but if the sail is clean, I don't think that should not be a cause for concern.Rob