Preserving the life of your sails is vital for performance and protecting your investment. However, whether you are cruising or racing, you will always encounter the economic aspect. In addition, there is always something to replace or repair when boating. Fortunately, there are a few cost-effective tricks that can help prolong the life of your sails. Here are five tips for making your sails last.
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- Keep your sails clean
While salt is an enemy of any sail, other types of dirt and debris can be just as damaging. Regular sail cleaning is key to maintaining your sails. A sail that has been exposed to salt should be cleaned as soon as possible, while all other varying levels of grime should be eliminated when possible. A staysail or genoa likely needs washing or a rinse more frequently than a mainsail stowed beneath a cover on the boom or furled when not in use. Run a finger along the foot and taste it if you are unsure whether your sail is salty.
- Optimize your sails
You can improve the quality of your sail and prolong its life by making some investments, including an additional reef, a UV strip, patches for speeders’ protection, and other accessories from Far East Sails. The winter period would be the perfect time to consult your sailmaker about the modification you can make to improve your sail’s performance while increasing its lifespan.
- Inspect your sails regularly
Inspecting your sails at least once a year as part of your winterization can help maximize your sails’ life. While you can perform sail inspection yourself, having it inspected by experts ensures thorough checkups. Through inspection, you can discover dying sliders, tired straps, and minor tears, and professional checkups may also reveal usage-related issues.
For instance, loose seams down the luff could indicate additional halyard tension. Fixing these issues when they are still minor prevents expensive repairs and replacements, increasing your sail’s life.
- Check the rigging adjustment
Incorrectly rigged sails can have a great impact on their performance. Therefore, before you blame your sails, be sure the problem isn’t the rig. Get a professional to sail with you to see what adjustments could solve the issue. This is especially essential for boaters who don’t regularly tune their rigs.
- Protect your sails from the elements
Sails kept on a furling are prone to damage from heavy winds and storms. Sailmakers measure the life of a sail in hours and seasons rather than years. The lifespan is affected by the amount of time sailed and the level of care given to the sails. If your vessel will be sitting idle in a marina for at least a month or more during the boating season, take down your sails and stow them. This can help extend your sails’ life. If your schedule can’t allow you to do this personally, reach out to your local Quantum loft for sails removal and storage.
Endnote
Sails don’t last forever, but they can provide many years of service with the proper care and maintenance. Your sails might become damaged due to flogging, sun UV radiation degradation, weak stitching, elements exposure, or wind tear and wear. Look for signs such as overly strained attachment points and ripped or fraying seams to determine whether your sails are worn out.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
