Sounds like your sails need to be replaced if they are
that brittle.

S.Simon


Donals Dilemma wrote in message ...
On Wed, 3 Dec 2003 17:04:16 -0500, "Simple Simon"
wrote:

From: http://www.northsails.co.uk/media/articles/sailcare.htm



MYLAR

Sails made of Mylar film laminated to a polyester substrate provide good strength for their weight, but they are also relatively
fragile, so it's wise to:

1.. Never exceed your sail's recommended wind range;
2.. Never use a genoa that doesn't have spreader patches;
3.. Don't flog the sail unnecessarily;
4.. Don't overstretch the luff of a Mylar sail. Mylar sails need only a bit of luff tension to position the draft correctly.
Therefore, tension the halyard and Cunningham only enough to remove horizontal wrinkles from the luff. Mark the genoa halyard so
you
don't over-tension it when coming into the leeward mark.
There are other precautions you should take with Mylar sails. Don't let any solvents (such as diesel fuel or cleaning agents) get
on
them, because these will dissolve the glue and cause separation. Mylar film is sensitive to heat, so be sure not to let your sail
touch any part of the engine or even rest against an interior.

Hmmm excellent advice for any sail I'd venture.

BTW the sails on my etchells will tear if they are creased when
rolling them up and the crease is pulled out.

They are Dacron!


Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.