I guess one of the reasons for brand new sails to outperform older are
all the wrinkles. (Shape is even more important).

So, I tried on a small surface of a woven dacron sail. First, I marked
a rectangle about 200x300 mm and measured the eaxct size all
directions.

Then I used a household stem iron, set for polyester temperaure. ALL
wrinkles was eliminated and the cloth looked like brand new.

After its cooling down, I again measured the reference rectangle, and
it was the same size within fractions of a mm.

What confuses me a bit is that the sailcloth makers and sailmakers I
have asked for advice, all say that they do not recommend ironing
sails, but NONE of them has been able to present ANY piece of fact
about why. I have asked if the cloth would shrink, swell or stay the
same by ironing - no answer. At the final stage of clothmaking, heat
is used to strengthen the cloth.

Does anyone out there have any facts in this field that I need to know
about?

/Eric

I don't know about sails, but I can say with certainty that you should try to
iron waterproof charts!



"Eric Downing" wrote in message
m...
I guess one of the reasons for brand new sails to outperform older are
all the wrinkles. (Shape is even more important).

So, I tried on a small surface of a woven dacron sail. First, I marked
a rectangle about 200x300 mm and measured the eaxct size all
directions.

Then I used a household stem iron, set for polyester temperaure. ALL
wrinkles was eliminated and the cloth looked like brand new.

After its cooling down, I again measured the reference rectangle, and
it was the same size within fractions of a mm.

What confuses me a bit is that the sailcloth makers and sailmakers I
have asked for advice, all say that they do not recommend ironing
sails, but NONE of them has been able to present ANY piece of fact
about why. I have asked if the cloth would shrink, swell or stay the
same by ironing - no answer. At the final stage of clothmaking, heat
is used to strengthen the cloth.

Does anyone out there have any facts in this field that I need to know
about?

/Eric

Sorry, I meant "shouldn't try ironing waterproof charts."

Actually, you might try, for the entertainment value; my wife was certainly
amused, and for some reason reminds me every now and then how much pleasure she
got from the episode.

But don't expect a usable chart as the result.


"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
I don't know about sails, but I can say with certainty that you should try to
iron waterproof charts!



"Eric Downing" wrote in message
m...
I guess one of the reasons for brand new sails to outperform older are
all the wrinkles. (Shape is even more important).

So, I tried on a small surface of a woven dacron sail. First, I marked
a rectangle about 200x300 mm and measured the eaxct size all
directions.

Then I used a household stem iron, set for polyester temperaure. ALL
wrinkles was eliminated and the cloth looked like brand new.

After its cooling down, I again measured the reference rectangle, and
it was the same size within fractions of a mm.

What confuses me a bit is that the sailcloth makers and sailmakers I
have asked for advice, all say that they do not recommend ironing
sails, but NONE of them has been able to present ANY piece of fact
about why. I have asked if the cloth would shrink, swell or stay the
same by ironing - no answer. At the final stage of clothmaking, heat
is used to strengthen the cloth.

Does anyone out there have any facts in this field that I need to know
about?

/Eric

My question would be why would you want to iron your sails? It won't improve
their performance or lifespan. When they fill you can't see the wrinkles
anyway. If you want people to think you bought new sails ............ buy new
sails.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"No shirt, no skirt, full service"

Shove the goop in and put Bobsprit on the boat. He can agitate anything.

BB


"Bill Farina" wrote in message ...
What's the technique for using FaF in an inflatable? When you put it in a
tire, don't you have to drive it for a while to agitate the product so that
it won't just pool at the bottom of the tire?

"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
It's called Fix a Flat. You can buy it at most auto parts stores.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"No shirt, no skirt, full service"

You could even whitewash them!

Cheers

SAIL LOCO wrote:

My question would be why would you want to iron your sails? It won't improve
their performance or lifespan. When they fill you can't see the wrinkles
anyway. If you want people to think you bought new sails ............ buy new
sails.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"No shirt, no skirt, full service"