5.3 Spar Care
The mast, boom and bowsprit are carbon tubing. It is advisable to apply a coat of
varnish every 2 years. This protects the laminate against UV degradation in sunlight.
Lightly sand the mast to help the new varnish bond to the surface. Wash with fresh
water as often as possible, both inside and out. Check all the riveted fittings and the
masthead sheave on a regular basis for any signs of corrosion or wear.
Access to the pole outhaul block is very easy – release the Velcro from the
bow area and pull back – the fastening of the front of the chute is similar to a
boltrope fed into a groove on the rear end of the bow plate – it can be pulled
out easily:
The mast will ware at the mast gate if not protected by a pad – the high ware
protective tape and ultra thin stainless pads are available as spares – it is
recommended that these are replaced every year:
5.4 Sail Care
The mainsail should be rolled and stored dry, out of direct sunlight. Dry the
gennaker, fold it and store it in its bag.
When using a new sail for the first time, try to avoid extreme conditions because high
loads on new sailcloth can diminish the racing life of the sail.
If your sail is stained in any way, try to remove the mark using normal detergent and
warm water. DO NOT attempt to launder the sail yourself.
Repairs should be temporarily made using self-adhesive Dacron, Mylar, or gennaker
repair tape (depending on sail type). The sail should be returned to a sail maker for a
professional repair. Check for wear and tear, especially around the batten pockets
and boltrope, on a regular basis.
To Next Page
