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Index A
5.4 SAILS
General points
- The working life of a sail depends above all on regular maintenance.
- When sailing, trim the sails to account for the stress placed on the fabric in order to reduce the chance of damage from
strain.
- Secure your boat against wear and tear: Cover or protect gear with rough or sharp surfaces (spreaders, stanchions,
etc.).
- Keep a sailmaker's kit and explanatory booklet onboard so that you can carry out emergency repairs whilst waiting for
a professional sail-maker.
- Rinse the sails in fresh water regularly and dry them quickly to avoid mildew. Avoid drying the sails on the mast in the
wind: Allowing them to flap freely wears the seams and increases the risk of tearing the sails on the rigging.
- UV rays are harmful for sails: If you are keeping your sails rigged, even for as short a period as 24 hours, cover them
with a sail cover or protective fabric.
- The genoa can be fitted with an anti-UV strip: Make sure that the furling direction on the furling drum is correct (the UV
strip must appear on the outside).
- Never use force if the sail sticks when furling or unfurling. If this happens, check that a halyard is not rolled around the
forestay.
- The leech line must be released at the end of every sailing trip. If kept under constant tension, the leech line will cease
to be adjustable after several trips..
Sail storage/folding
- Remove the sails if your boat is not to be used for a long time.
- Avoid storing sails wet to prevent mould and mildew.
- Fold the sail parallel to the foot into a concertina, then roll it up to fit into the bag.
Maintenance / Maintenance
- If an anti-UV strip is attached to the sail, it must be changed every 5 years or so..
When travelling at over 20 knots, you are
advised to stow the lazy bag.
When the sailing season is over and, if
possible, before Winter, take all the sails to a
professional for servicing and for any necessary
repairs.
Rigging and sails
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