folding sails
 

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

folding sails
 

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

folding sails
 

"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

folding sails
 

Hey

You fold/flak/roll/pack your sails because you love your boat and you love
to sail. Its that simple, it is a must.
Wet sails not a big issue, dry at first chance. Nothing wrong with tossing
a wet sail in a locker, car or room and letting it dry and then pack.

Big boats or small - how you put your sails away depends if you race or
cruise.

Cruisers will fold sails unless they happen to have exotic materials then
they roll.
To fold on a big boat - toss sail on one side, grab tack & clue and fold on
the other side of the deck. Folds will be small and maybe irregular but it
works. Mains are flaked. Thanks to roller furling gear head sails are
rolled.

Race (big and small) boats will roll sails, this keeps the cloth from
creasing, breaking down and will hold its shape better over time
To roll on a big race boat ditto above but roll it. Mains may be rolled on
the boom starting at the head or taken off and rolled.
All rolled sails will have long sailbags.

Spinnakers are most often stuffed in their turtle (i.e. bag) and are later
repacked. Repacking is either flaking from the head down the leeches to the
clues or you sausage the chute and place breakable rubber bands the length
of the spinnaker. The spinnaker's head and clues are exposed outside the
turtle so you can attach halyards and sheets easily.

Lastly smart sailors will treat their sails with care. Dont work on them.
Dont bleed on them. Rinse off if in salt water. Keep covered for UV
protection. And mark the corners.

stu


"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

folding sails
 

"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

folding sails
 

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

folding sails
 

"padeen" wrote...
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?

Folding sails is more space-efficient than stuffing. Also, for new sails,
folding will help preserve the "crispness" imparted by the sizing.

For larger boats/sails, folding may be impractical. Stuffing is quicker and
takes less work area.

folding sails
 

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

folding sails
 

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

folding sails
 

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


That's why socks are better for bigger boats.

folding sails
 

You do? Cant it just be manhandled as one big sausage down the front hatch?
Then fold it below if needed.

DP
"666" wrote in message
...
But you have to fold this sock before stacking under the deck anyway?
JaC


That's why socks are better for bigger boats.

folding sails
 

Sails are a considerable investment in your boat, and the way you manage
that invesment will translate directly to the pleasure you get from your
boat and your sailing (and your chequebook). On smaller boats (and
extensively used in dinghy classes) try a piece of 4" PVC drainage tube the
same length as the foot of the sail and roll the sail around the tube before
putting it in a sausage bag or "sock". You may choose to start the roll
along the foot or from the head, or other ways, but this has to be the best
way to avoid creases, folds and other fabric-destroying effects. Of
course, you are left with an inflexible and fairly large package to stow,
but they are easily carried in this fashion and can be stowed in ways that
other sails cannot. For the Mainsail on my Etchells, this is the only way
to go.

"John R Weiss" wrote in message
news:yeLeb.657596$uu5.106949@sccrnsc04...
"padeen" wrote...
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?

Folding sails is more space-efficient than stuffing. Also, for new sails,
folding will help preserve the "crispness" imparted by the sizing.

For larger boats/sails, folding may be impractical. Stuffing is quicker
and
takes less work area.

folding sails
 

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

folding sails
 

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