Washing Sails & Anchor Chain

[lehighsail]

I looked thru the archives and most are over a year old. What is the current thinking about washing sails down. They seem not to be too bad but there are some verticle stains near the mast probably from the in mast furling. Do I use Dawn or Ivory Soapor Oxyclean? Do I iron the sails after (woven dacron). Do I let them soak in Soap & Bleach?

Also, my nylon anchor line has a thimble. What is the best type of connection to use to attach it to the chain? The anchor is 25 lb and there is 30 feet of chain.

Thanks.

 

[Rich Stidger]

My sail cleaning method-

Regarding your anchor rode to chain connection, The correct method is to use a properly sized screw shackle. The pin of the shackle passed through the last link of the chain. The pin is then tightened with a wrench and safety-wired with at least two separate pieces of stainless steel seizing wire. I think the wire size I use is 0.031", but it might be 0.041". In any event it is a standard size. The shackle should be a metal shackle and not made of nylon. Make sure you use a good American made shackle. If it says "China" don't buy it. I almost lost a boat to a chinese shackle......

Regarding sail cleaning- the system I use is a shallow trougth lined with plastic sheeting. I fill the trougth with water, add some of my favorite liquid dish detergent (not dishwasher soap) and then scrub moderately with a soft brush. I flip the sail and scrub the other side too. Then I pull the sail onto the lawn (clean the lawn first) and hose both sides thoroughly. The I hoist the sail high up to a point on my garage to dry. See attached pictures of the process.