Wet sails

Lost Parent

Lost Parent

.
Jul 8, 2011
704
Catalina 30 Sidney B.C.
Got back from a good weekend sail in the rain.

Question is, do I leave the sail cover off other put it back on knowing I can't make it back to the boat for three weeks?
 
T

tommays

.
Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
IMHP the sun would do much more damage :)

I have a roller furling headsail and boom furling main and wet has not cause any issues

On my J24 in which everything gets flaked and stored down below i done well just keeping a much loser flake when there wet
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,038
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
lp, since your boat is in an area where the sun never comes out and it rains ALL the time, why are you asking?:dance::dance::dance:

Just look around at the boats that have gone out sailing, and see what they do. :eek:

I'd guess, 99 and 44/100ths %, that they cover their mainsails.:doh:

And if, by wet, you mean saltwater, hose it off first with fresh water. If there's no wind or light wind, raise it to try to let it dry as much as possible before you cover it and leave.
 
Rocket1

Rocket1

.
Jan 12, 2012
83
None None Bellingham, WA
Awe, c'mon Stu. It doesn't rain ALL of the time around here.

Mostly only on days that end in "Y", any day you would rather be on your boat, and most certainly any day that you don't have to be at work! :D

It's probably the only place on earth where the weatherman can be wrong 80% of the time and keep his job.

At least we don't have to worry too much about UV damage.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,038
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Bob, no UV?!? Please, don't encourage lp to leave his mainsail uncovered!!!:D:D:D
 
Rocket1

Rocket1

.
Jan 12, 2012
83
None None Bellingham, WA

Wouldn't dream of it, by all means cover it up.

My entire reply was in jest, of course.

But compared to California or the Gulf Coast, UV is far less of an issue for us here in the PNW.
 
Anonymous 121765

Anonymous 121765

.
Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Lost,

Years ago, I had my mainsail cover made with extra 6" of extra material vertically past the boom. Actually, I think it looks neat also. We get the occasional tropical storm/hurricane & I wrap line around my cover until the BLO passes. I've seen boats with tight sail covers & if leaving covered for a time, that ol green/black mildew stain would rear it's ugly head.

The secret is to use a looser fit fabric that allows air to move under the cover, thus drying moisture in the sail. I've had a looser fitting cover the past twenty years, & have never had mildew stains. Here in Florida the fall & spring leaves alot of overnight moisture & I don't want to keep my sail wet under cover.

CR
 
B

bffatcat

.
Jun 8, 2004
853
Pearson 26W Marblehead
wet main sail

Y not take the sail and put in a big commercial dryer Its a bit of work but than you wont have any problems
 
H

hfngotsail

.
Aug 21, 2006
9
O'Day Mariner Webster
O'Day Mariner

My boat is small enough to take the sails and roll them up and store them in the bag they cam in after using. We have a big clubhouse, and to lay the sails over the plastic chairs and tables, dry with a towel, and several floor fans. They still look as new as the day I got them.

Mold and mildew are a real problem if stored in a damp dark place, on the boom with a loose cover they should dry out. :neutral:

GS
 
We2Sail12113

We2Sail12113

.
Apr 15, 2008
32
Hunter H27 Fairhaven
Lost Parent said:
Got back from a good weekend sail in the rain.

Question is, do I leave the sail cover off other put it back on knowing I can't make it back to the boat for three weeks?
Click to expand
On Massachusetts south coast, we had a drenching rain, and the roller furled jib also got soaked. Had to leave for a family event, and left it for three weeks. Upon unfurling, I had one of those ugly mildew splotches on the sail. Real ugly black stuff.

How ever the main subject to the same elements, did not have any mildew, and it was covered.

( In New England, there is no certainty as to the weather except to expect it to change.)

Bob
 
R

rfrye1

.
Jun 15, 2004
589
Hunter H376 San Diego
Cover it

Cover it, but as Ron says keep it loose if you can. But what the heck, it's going to just rain again tomorrow, and the next day....... :)

I grew up in the PNW, so I know all about the liquid sunshine. That's why they invented Gortex, for all you folks! Actually I'm jealous. You have one, if not the best, cruising areas in the world. I grew up boating in the SJ and Gulf Islands with my parents, and now get back every several years via bareboat. Truly God's country.

Bob
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,766
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
What is the sail fabric? Polyester or paper? Polyester and its stiffness filler are meant to be wetted and dry quickly. I have washed my polyester shirts often and sweat wetted them for a "salty dry".
UV is the enemy! BTW UV passes through clouds, but at a filtered intensity.

What will happen to a damp sail? Remember bacteria and mildew need water and FOOD. Polyester is not good food.

So...
Keep your sails clean of gunk (food) and store out of UV for most longevity. Water is your friend.

Jim...
 
shnool

shnool

.
Aug 10, 2012
556
WD Schock Wavelength 24 Wallenpaupack
Do you folks really think your mainsail cover is weatherproof??

Mine isn't! It's canvas, it merely protects the sail from UV... but because it's canvas, it breathes, and allows the sail to dry.

Sure if you have a nice light wind day, by all means let it dry out... but otherwise you are MUCH better served covering it. Sure also get the saltwater off it if you can... but again... its more detrimental to the spars than the sail.
 
IainB

IainB

.
Apr 14, 2009
16
Catalina 30 Semiahmoo
Even in the Pacific Northwest never leave sails uncovered for any length of time. Rinse the sail in fresh water and leave loosely covered There is a reason the edge of your furling jib has a sun block cover sewn in to the edge of it
 
talbotb

talbotb

.
May 5, 2014
44
Oday Daysailer II Eugene, OR
I'm in Oregon. 51" of rain a year to your 38" in Sidney. I always put the covers on both main and jib after a sail. I have never had a problem with mildew. I'm inland about an hour from the coast on a lake, so salt is not an issue. (But smoke from forest fires and field burning is.)
 
John Nantz

John Nantz

.
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Rocket1 said:
Awe, c'mon Stu. It doesn't rain ALL of the time around here.

Mostly only on days that end in "Y", any day you would rather be on your boat, and most certainly any day that you don't have to be at work! :D

It's probably the only place on earth where the weatherman can be wrong 80% of the time and keep his job..
Click to expand
Rocket1 is right, it doesn't rain ALL the time. This radar shot I just took proves it .... just a few little wet spots is all.

I'd go along with what Jim said because the treads loose their strength rapidly when exposed to UV. I was just viewing some graphs about that earlier today.

Edit: The radar is on the southwest coast of Washington so that's why the northern border "looks clear" - it can't see that area. Ditto the Olympics.
 

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