Sail care....

loaferoatan

New Member
Question for the Collective Wisdom:
Should I rinse my Laser sails after each use with fresh water? A friend of mine told me to just let them dry and then pack them up. He insists that the salt won't hurt the sails and fresh water is more harmful. Thoughts please
AE
 
Question for the Collective Wisdom:
Should I rinse my Laser sails after each use with fresh water? A friend of mine told me to just let them dry and then pack them up. He insists that the salt won't hurt the sails and fresh water is more harmful. Thoughts please
AE
I think you'll find the sail care instructions at every sailmaker's web site will tell you salt is a harsh particulate that will be abrasive to the finish as well as the sail cloth. That fresh water rinsing is the recommended procedure.

From NORTH SAILS, Sail Care Tips
One Design Sail Care
Like all other sails, avoid flogging. Sometimes, such as starting, this is unavoidable, but in between races you should definitely drop your sails instead of letting them flap. It's a good idea to break new sails in for a few hours before using them in racing conditions. Yarn-tempered sails should be rolled when not in use. If your sail has a window, avoid storing it in high-temperature areas like car boots/trunks. A good way to keep sails salt-free is to put them up on a CALM day, hose them off and let them dry in place. ... http://www.na.northsails.com/SailCare/SailCareTips/tabid/1927/Default.aspx

Your friend wouldn't be trying to gain a sailing advantage over you, would he? :rolleyes:
Ask him to show you an authoritative instruction that corroborates what he’s telling you.
.
 

Back
Top