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5.4 SAILS
General points
- The working life of a sail mainly depends on its being regularly maintained.
- When sailing, trim the sails properly in accordance with the stresses in order to reduce the
harmful strains on the fabric.
- Avoid wear and tear: Protect against chafing on gear with rough/sharp surfaces (spreaders,
stanchions, etc).
- Keep a sailmaker's kit and explanatory booklet onboard to carry our 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: Flogging wears the seams and risks tearing the sails on the
rigging.
- UV rays severely attack sails: If sails remain rigged, even for 24 hours, cover them with a
sailcover 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.
Sail storage/folding
- Remove the sails if your boat is not to be used for a long time.
- Avoid storing a wet sail to prevent the appearance of mould and mildew.
- Flake the sail parallel to the foot, then roll it up to the bag dimensions.
ADVICE-RECOMMENDATION
When the sailing season is over and, if possible, before winter, take the suit of sails
to a professional for an overhaul and effective repairs.
5
RIGGING AND SAILS
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