Sun exposure on in-mast furling sail

[jerry]

I have a main sail that I continually stowed on the in-mast furling system for the last 7 years that is showing extreme UV degradation about 6 inches into the leach. The slot for the sail faces directly west and catches all the sun rays all year. I am getting a new sail that has a leach sun cover to minimize this problem (the original one only has the cover on the clew end).

I was curious if anyone has made a cover that could be hoisted with a spare halyard (which I have) for this slot.
Thinking: 1. Make a sunbrella strip that would cover when away from the boat.
How to keep the edges in the slot? Maybe sew in some dowels?
2. Cut some thin plastic sections to push up to the top with a downhaul the
top piece?
Your thoughts appreciated.
p.s. I don't get to monitor this site continually, so I may not respond quickly to your posts.

jerry

 

[Scott B]

My furling main has sunbrella on the leach for this reason.

 

[HernandoBeacher]

I had the same problem. Doyle added a 6" UV cover on my leach for about $200.

 

[jerry]

Scott and Hernando

Thanks for responding, as stated I am getting a new sail with the leach cover. Just wondering if there are Additional options.
Jerry

 

[Mikem]

Is it possible to change the orientation of the boat?

 

[seadaddler]

I just recently had the stitching of the 3 straps that hold the stainless ring on the
leach for the out haul and I was racing putting alot of pressure on the sail and has been on since 2007 and nothing got damaged and just the stitching came a part so check the stitching for sun damage is a very good idea.
Many times over the years I have thought about making a small cover to cover that part of the leach where the straps are and the stitching to block the sun and maybe soon I will remember to make some thing and use it.
Nick

 

[jerry]

Mikem and Seadaddler,
Changing orientation is possible but I prefer not to back in. That would be the cheapest and easiest option.
My clew end showed very little damage probably because I can roll it in all the way to the ring and it has the sun cover.
Thanks for everyones thoughts.
jerry

 

[Tejas]

You might want to ask your howto question on one of Sailrite's sewing forums:

http://forum.sailrite.com/covers-and-awnings_forum10.html

 

[seadaddler]

Mine has the sunbrella sun cover at the leach also and do furl it
in a lot but not up to the ring and you are lucky and will see if mine furls more.

 

[Tejas]

Make a sunbrella strip that would cover when away from the boat.
How to keep the edges in the slot? Maybe sew in some dowels?

A problem with sewing in dowels might be friction on the material. Sunbrella especially is not very abrasion resistant.

Another problem would be the space available with the sail furled in the mast. Assuming the slot-width is 10 - 15 mm, perhaps even wider, there might not be enough space.