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TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR SAILS LAST LONGER |
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SAIL SUN SCREEN Always make sure to roll your genoa with the UV protection cover on the outside. If the sail gets rolled up with the acrylic cover on the inside, the sun will cook the leech of your genoa. If your main does not roll into the mast, make sure to put the sail cover on when the sail is down. The leech (back edge) of any sail carries the highest load, and when your main is down on the boom, it is the leech that is exposed more than any part of the sail. MINIMIZE TORTURE Flogging, or violent luffing, breaks down the fibers in your sails. Some luffing is inevitable (when raising your mainsail for instance), but try to keep this to a minimum. Never motor directly up wind with your main flogging. DON�T GET LED ASTRAY The top of your genoa suffers from flogging when the jib sheet lead block is too far aft. When the lead block is too far aft, the sheet applies more tension straight back along the foot than down along the leech. This causes the top of the sail to flutter. To find out how to locate the proper lead block position, click here to get to the genoa trim section of the �Encyclopedia of Sails.� THE LEAD FOLLOWS Don�t forget that when you roller reef your genoa in strong winds, you�ll need to move the genoa sheet lead block forward because as you roll the sail, the clew moves forward. If you don�t move the lead block, the top of the sail will flutter violently in the stiff breeze. SILENCE IS GOLDEN If the leech of your sail makes a terrible racket from flapping, tighten the leech line. Our sails have a simple-to-operate jam cleat. Not only does tightening the leech line reduce the noise, but it prevents the back of your sail from destroying itself -- and that saves you plenty of gold. LOOSEN UP Trimming your sails properly in strong winds requires a lot of halyard tension on both the main and genoa. Do your sails a favor by easing the tension on the halyards every time you come in from sailing. Leaving them tight unnecessarily stretches them. To learn what to look for when setting the halyard tension, click here. ANNUAL SERVICE You wouldn�t leave your patio furniture outside all winter, so why would you leave your sails up all winter? When you put your boat away at the end the season, take down your sails and drop them off at your UK-Halsey loft for washing and inspection. This is the best way to protect your investment. Washing your sails extends their useful life by removing dirt and salt that abrades sailcloth. �Do it yourselfers� should rinse off both sides of all your sails with a garden hose, then dry them well before storing them in a cool dry place. Do not store your sails in your boat where they can pick up nasty odors and envelop mildew over the winter. Enjoy Your Time on the Water! UK-Halsey Sailmakers |