sail washing

[pelican]

I wash our sails spread out on the ground tide/Skip method.

I ruined a sail and top some years back by washing in a strong bleach solution. The material was fine ,but the thread rotted out and caused the sail to fall apart. ... expensive lesson

From then on, if tide don't remove the stain... I have a professional clean them.

Regards
Terry

[Gil Weiss]

My local sail maker charges around 40 bucks to wash a set of CP16 sails. I do this every two years and my Johnson sails made in 1990 look and feel and work like new! Once my sailmaker found a potential problem and re stiched things for a few additonal dollars saving me some future grief and bigger bucks.

My feeling is that some tasks are better handled (and cost less money in the end) by experts. Consdiering the value and importance of your sails, this is one such task in my opinion.

Also, keep in  mind, that the sailor needs to take care of their sails during the sailing season. Try and keep them dry to prevent mildew, protect them from the sun and don't let them flog about in the breeze when at anchor.

My 2 cents . . .

[Craig Weis]

Well Cap...your right don't allow the sails to flog about in the breeze, knocks the stitching right out of them...and professional cleaning from a sail maker and/or his/her cleaner every couple of years sounds like a good plan as well.

I had a bit of a mishap as my UV wainscot lost it's thread and flailed in the breeze allowing the sun to peek in at my furled head sail for a few days till I had her re-stitched at Doorsal sail loft. Chuck Kline did a fine job. $25.00~one day~good as new. skip.