Wrinkles just got her new loose footed mainsail from FX Sails and we would like to keep it in good shape. Since we trailer sail it will be taken off and put in the boat cabin after each trip. Any suggestions on how to flake/fold/roll/bunch it to keep it in good condition? What are you other sailors doing?
Mike and B
When I worked as crewman on raceboats they were very concerned about maintaining utmost preservation
and crispness of their maylar/kevlar/carbonfiber, and dacron full batten, loose-footed main sails.
Some flaked symmetrically down onto the boom - and covered with the maincover which also was meant for the
loose-footed full batten sail. Its a 2 man job on our size boat to do it right.
If you really think you need to bag it -- you need to lay it our on a large flat surface and do proper
flaking where folds start at the foot of the sail , rotating in clockwise to counter-clockwise rotations.
Then after folds end at the top of sail, it gets whats left rolled or folded over its length a quarter or third,
and again untill it fits to bag length, stuff inside , and tie rope snug, then lie flat( horizontal ) in storage.
Google it - proper mainsail flaking .
We know how to flake a sail, but we've read that consistently flaking one causes the folded areas to break down. There are plenty of sailors who swear that rolling a sail is better in the long term. We don't take spending 600 bucks on a part for our sailboat lightly and want to protect that investment.
Mike and B
Thanks hockeyfool for your informative post. I have always wondered how to properly store a sail.
Chris
I've always flaked my sails but I never flake them at the exact same place. However it seems like rolling would work fine if you can do it. I'm usually by myself so flaking seems easier.
No flaking allowed. That just sets in a crease. Pull the battons and roll it up and stuff it into the sail bag. Keep it dry.
skip.
Me thinks that todays modern sails are pretty tough. My original (1985) sails were replaced 2 years ago and they were in fine shape. Chances are that previous owners flaked, rolled and stuffed those sails however they could.
For winter storages, my sailmaker insists on folding similiar to hockeyfools method. When I encounter an expert in his/her field, I usually listen to them. Dave at John Eggers Sailmakers is just such and expert.
My main stay on the boom for the entire summer. I'm sure it forgives my amateur attempt at flaking. Sometimes, when I drop the sail in high winds, I'm trying to just get it secured. Remember, I have no marina to hide in...I'm moored in semi-open water.
But I do agree that proper treatment, rinsing in the fall and dry, loose winter storage will add years to the sails. Disclaimer: I'm not an expert on sail handling.
bob23
On race boats they roll them up. No flanking. And you don't need to remove the battons that way either. But it does take up a lot more space.
I stand corrected ; yes I meant to say rolling the main as some with full battens do fall well into a rolled form,
on or off the boom.
cannot speak for the C-23 (I do own one) but I have spent a lot of time crewing San Juan 21's and most of the owners roll the sails.