I was shown how to precisely fold my sails for my 16' Luger and told that
this is a must, but there are times when I don't have the space or time to
do this. How do people with larger boats fold their sails, especially when
underway? Don't they just shove them into the sail storage area and dry
them when they can? Just what are the issues involved with folding, vs.
stuffing, sails?
TIA for any information.

Padeen

One of the reasons for proper sail folding, aside from the obvious lifespan
factor, is good seamanship.

When a sail is folded correctly and still in the bag you should be able to
attach the Tack without removing the sail. (then it doesn't blow away of
course).

At this point the bag can be removed and the sail hanked on -then the sheets
added. It's all about keeping sails (and crew) on deck and out of the water.

The bigger the boat, the more important proper sail folding/handling is.
Imagine screwing around on the deck of a 40 footer in big seas trying to
find head vs tack vs clew. Now imagine doing it on a maxi. Scary!

DP



"padeen" wrote in message
...
I was shown how to precisely fold my sails for my 16' Luger and told that
this is a must, but there are times when I don't have the space or time to
do this. How do people with larger boats fold their sails, especially
when
underway? Don't they just shove them into the sail storage area and dry
them when they can? Just what are the issues involved with folding, vs.
stuffing, sails?
TIA for any information.

Padeen

"d parker" wrote:

The bigger the boat, the more important proper sail folding/handling is.
Imagine screwing around on the deck of a 40 footer in big seas trying to
find head vs tack vs clew. Now imagine doing it on a maxi. Scary!

DP

Imagine not folding your parachute carefully!

-k

"WaterCrashr" wrote in message
...
"d parker" wrote:

The bigger the boat, the more important proper sail folding/handling is.
Imagine screwing around on the deck of a 40 footer in big seas trying to
find head vs tack vs clew. Now imagine doing it on a maxi. Scary!

DP

Imagine not folding your parachute carefully!

-k

Splat!

DP

What I experienced with big genoas it may be easier to keep sheet corner =
(clew) on the top, fixing the sheets first, and then un-roll the big =
stuff towards the bow to fix a tack.
You avoid going with big & heavy bag to the narrow & lifting in tha =
waves bow this way.
JaC

That's why socks are better for bigger boats.

DP
"666" wrote in message
...
What I experienced with big genoas it may be easier to keep sheet corner
(clew) on the top, fixing the sheets first, and then un-roll the big stuff
towards the bow to fix a tack.
You avoid going with big & heavy bag to the narrow & lifting in tha waves
bow this way.
JaC

But you have to fold this sock before stacking under the deck anyway?
JaC


That's why socks are better for bigger boats.

Make sure you always fold it using the original creases. That way, after a
few years, you'll know where it's weakest.

I, too, sail a small boat so I don't know what the difficulties are with
bigger and heavier sails, but I've always just stuffed mine. Positioning
the tack for initial removal isn't really a problem. Stuffed loosely in a
bag large enough to hold the sail, and they'll dry just fine.

BKO

"d parker" wrote in message
. au...
One of the reasons for proper sail folding, aside from the obvious
lifespan
factor, is good seamanship.

When a sail is folded correctly and still in the bag you should be able to
attach the Tack without removing the sail. (then it doesn't blow away of
course).

At this point the bag can be removed and the sail hanked on -then the
sheets
added. It's all about keeping sails (and crew) on deck and out of the
water.

The bigger the boat, the more important proper sail folding/handling is.
Imagine screwing around on the deck of a 40 footer in big seas trying to
find head vs tack vs clew. Now imagine doing it on a maxi. Scary!

DP



"padeen" wrote in message
...
I was shown how to precisely fold my sails for my 16' Luger and told
that
this is a must, but there are times when I don't have the space or time
to
do this. How do people with larger boats fold their sails, especially
when
underway? Don't they just shove them into the sail storage area and dry
them when they can? Just what are the issues involved with folding, vs.
stuffing, sails?
TIA for any information.

Padeen

Reminds me of the time I was staying at a friend's home ..there was a
big regatta at their club. My friend (an ex sailing/racing buddy) let
me use his boat so there we were coming out from his club in the regatta
putting up the working jib and set it with the head at the foot and up
it went...oh...the embarrasment!

d parker wrote:

One of the reasons for proper sail folding, aside from the obvious lifespan
factor, is good seamanship.

When a sail is folded correctly and still in the bag you should be able to
attach the Tack without removing the sail. (then it doesn't blow away of
course).

At this point the bag can be removed and the sail hanked on -then the sheets
added. It's all about keeping sails (and crew) on deck and out of the water.

The bigger the boat, the more important proper sail folding/handling is.
Imagine screwing around on the deck of a 40 footer in big seas trying to
find head vs tack vs clew. Now imagine doing it on a maxi. Scary!

DP



"padeen" wrote in message
...

I was shown how to precisely fold my sails for my 16' Luger and told that
this is a must, but there are times when I don't have the space or time to
do this. How do people with larger boats fold their sails, especially

when

underway? Don't they just shove them into the sail storage area and dry
them when they can? Just what are the issues involved with folding, vs.
stuffing, sails?
TIA for any information.

Padeen

Have seen that happen with spinnakers on a few occasions too. Its very funny
to watch.

DP
"Beau Schless" wrote in message
nk.net...
Reminds me of the time I was staying at a friend's home ..there was a
big regatta at their club. My friend (an ex sailing/racing buddy) let
me use his boat so there we were coming out from his club in the regatta
putting up the working jib and set it with the head at the foot and up
it went...oh...the embarrasment!

d parker wrote:

One of the reasons for proper sail folding, aside from the obvious
lifespan
factor, is good seamanship.

When a sail is folded correctly and still in the bag you should be able
to
attach the Tack without removing the sail. (then it doesn't blow away of
course).

At this point the bag can be removed and the sail hanked on -then the
sheets
added. It's all about keeping sails (and crew) on deck and out of the
water.

The bigger the boat, the more important proper sail folding/handling is.
Imagine screwing around on the deck of a 40 footer in big seas trying to
find head vs tack vs clew. Now imagine doing it on a maxi. Scary!

DP



"padeen" wrote in message
...

I was shown how to precisely fold my sails for my 16' Luger and told
that
this is a must, but there are times when I don't have the space or time
to
do this. How do people with larger boats fold their sails, especially

when

underway? Don't they just shove them into the sail storage area and dry
them when they can? Just what are the issues involved with folding, vs.
stuffing, sails?
TIA for any information.

Padeen