by Andre Sanchez

Once you have learned the mechanics of how to sail a boat, you will need to learn how to maintain it.  Caring for sails begins with proper storage,  and due to the need to keep sails free from wrinkles or creases, they should be rolled up for storage wherever possible.  You should start rolling at the head of a sail and roll it up to the foot.

Sometimes it will be necessary to fold them, and this should be done concertina style, and the sail stored in a sail cover.   Sails should always be stored dry because they can be affected by mildew, depending on the material they are made from.  Nylon and Dacron are especially susceptible, and if you sails are heavily resinated they can soften up and lose their efficiency.  Sails should be stored as close to room temperature as possible, and kept out of the sun.  Sail bags are preferred since they keep out insects and small animals as well as keeping sails dry.

The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can damage sails, and your sails should be protected from sunlight when not being used.  Even if not taken down for storage, they should be protected by sail covers.  Mizzens, staysails and mainsails can all deteriorate if left uncovered on the mast. Make sure that where appropriate sails are furled and protected by a sun cover.

If you intend storing your sails, if possible, wash the salt away with clean water since they are better stored as salt free as possible.  It is usually easy to hose sails down, and if done properly then dried you shouldn’t have any problems with them.

Caked salt can be brushed off with a soft brush, and if you use a detergent to clean heavily soiled sails it must be a soft detergent.  Soap and water are best, even for tar and oil.  Household stain removers can be used, but you try them on a piece of sailcloth first, and bleach can also be used. If you sail does get affected with mildew, hot soapy water will remove it. 

If it is necessary to use solvents such as alcohol or acetone, you must first test them on a piece of sailcloth.  Some of the synthetic fibers might be affected by solvents.  You must never use bleach on nylon Kevlar or technora, because these fabrics are destroyed by bleach.  Once washed,  they can be dried by hanging them up, though not if it is windy. They can also be dried by laying them on a dry clean area such as lawn and turning them.

Your sails will need periodic inspection for faults since it is easier to make a repair at a time of your choosing, than an emergency repair while sailing.  Check the stitching and any reinforcement patches.  Make sure that the battens or hanks are in good order, and that nothing has rotted or corroded. While you should always have a quick look at your sails each time you use them, about three to four times a year is fine for a full inspection.  If you sail infrequently, then an annual inspection will probably be sufficient for your needs. Pay particular attention to battens, since if they are split, or the ends have worn, you want to know this now and not later. 

The bolt ropes or luff tapes should be examined closely since the luff grooves can damage them, and pay particular attention to the corners of your sails.  One important factor to keep in mind if you are cleaning sails with windows is that the windows can be scratched by brushing, and affected by some cleaning agents, so a soft cloth or sponge and soap are best used for the windows. 

All good sailors should learn how to sail without stressing the sails, and luffing should be kept to a minimum.  Sails that are allowed to flop about in the wind are liable to tear easily due to the weakening of the fibers.  You should learn how to set a sail properly, and keep just enough tension on it to prevent luffing. Too much tension can also be bad for a sail and a tight sail is not as efficient as a properly set one.

Caring for sales is an intrinsic part of learning how to sail a boat, and all good sailors know that sails are essential to them, and a well maintained sail can not only improve the performance of their boat, but also save them in an emergency.

How to Sail a Boat: Caring for Sails was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com