Here comes what is probably a real dumb question from someone who's been away from sailing for a bunch of years. I recently purchased a Cal 28 equipped with a Doyle full batten main. Unfortunately, it's now time to start decommissioning her for the season. How do you remove and store a full batten main? Do the battens come out? If so, how? I want to send the sails to a sailmaker for cleaning, inspection and maintenance. Can I remove the battens, fold the sail and bag it like I always did with partial batten sails? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but so far I'm stumped. Transporting/storing this sail with the battens in place just doesn't seem very doable. -Smitty
Storing full batten mains
- Thread starter Smitty
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Take the battens out
They're in pockets that usually open at the leech although some open at the luff. I store them in the boom which I keep down below in the cabin.
They're in pockets that usually open at the leech although some open at the luff. I store them in the boom which I keep down below in the cabin.
Mine have a velcroed pocket flap
I open the flap on the leech - remove the battens and store them inside the boat for the winter. The sails are taken down, washed, dried, folded and stored inside the house for the winter. Most sails have some form of opening to slip the battens in and remove them.
I open the flap on the leech - remove the battens and store them inside the boat for the winter. The sails are taken down, washed, dried, folded and stored inside the house for the winter. Most sails have some form of opening to slip the battens in and remove them.
Cleaning ;Sails
My sailmaker says that sails do not need to be cleaned very often. He suggests simply spreading them out on your lawn and hosing down both sides, maybe with a little mild dish liquid. Mainly to wash any salt crystals off. Dry and store in a dry place in a sail bag without the battens in the pockets. It is another thing if repairs are needed but most lofts send them to specialized dedicated cleaners who charge like wounded bulls.
My sailmaker says that sails do not need to be cleaned very often. He suggests simply spreading them out on your lawn and hosing down both sides, maybe with a little mild dish liquid. Mainly to wash any salt crystals off. Dry and store in a dry place in a sail bag without the battens in the pockets. It is another thing if repairs are needed but most lofts send them to specialized dedicated cleaners who charge like wounded bulls.
If you have room below...
A good way to store such a sail is to roll it up and put it below (if space allows). If the cabin has ventilation and the sail is not stored wet, it will do fine. Make sure to cover it against any sun's rays that come through the ports.
A good way to store such a sail is to roll it up and put it below (if space allows). If the cabin has ventilation and the sail is not stored wet, it will do fine. Make sure to cover it against any sun's rays that come through the ports.
Sails
Two types of battens I have seen, I'm sure there are more, are. 1 the battens are pushed into the sail and then down into a pocket to hold the in, simply lift the up in the pocket and pull out. 2 the battens are pushed into the pockets and a velcro flap is then pushed into the pocket over the batten end. A small cord should be attached to the end of the velcro flap. By pulling on this cord the flap should come out and the batten can then be removed. The pict below shows how to fold a sail and roll it for a sailbag. The main concern is the sail being dry when folded, and keep in a dry place after bagging. Sail On... Terry
Two types of battens I have seen, I'm sure there are more, are. 1 the battens are pushed into the sail and then down into a pocket to hold the in, simply lift the up in the pocket and pull out. 2 the battens are pushed into the pockets and a velcro flap is then pushed into the pocket over the batten end. A small cord should be attached to the end of the velcro flap. By pulling on this cord the flap should come out and the batten can then be removed. The pict below shows how to fold a sail and roll it for a sailbag. The main concern is the sail being dry when folded, and keep in a dry place after bagging. Sail On... Terry
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