acs026
Member
Is there anything specific you need to do with a new sail, as far as breaking it in or anything? Just wanted to make sure.
Thanks
Thanks
New Sail
- Thread starter acs026
- Start date
NightSailor
Captain
* Wash it with fresh water after use.
* Dry the sail
* Lay the spars together.
* Roll up the sail alongside the spars.
* Store the whole rig in a sail bag indoors.
The usual recommendation is to break the sail in gently. Use the sail in light winds a few times, nothing over 15 mph. And if you have mounted control lines, keep those loose.
acs026
Member
Thanks wavedancer....that was more of the type of response I was looking for 
It is funny to me enough cause I am going from an original 70s something sail to a new one. So I am looking forward to it. Just wanted to make sure to start off with it the right way.
It is funny to me enough cause I am going from an original 70s something sail to a new one. So I am looking forward to it. Just wanted to make sure to start off with it the right way.
NightSailor
Captain
As long as he doesn't over-tighten it, I don't see why he can't take it out in higher winds.
Wayne
Member Emeritus
At the next LP open house and clinic, this would be a good question for the North Sails rep.
The thing I see most often is outhauls pulled too tight. You may have been doing this to eek out the last bit of shape from your old sail. Just remember you are back at the start point so don't follow recent habit when rigging the new sail.
Unfortunately, the LP setup guide only provides this nebulous bit of wisdom ... "The outhaul line should be fairly snug".
Snug, by my definition would make the body of a hoist sail smooth (no ripples radiating out from the tack) when filled with a little wind, but leave slight scallops between the sail clips. If the foot and luff seams are taught straight the outhauls are probably over tight.
The thing I see most often is outhauls pulled too tight. You may have been doing this to eek out the last bit of shape from your old sail. Just remember you are back at the start point so don't follow recent habit when rigging the new sail.
Unfortunately, the LP setup guide only provides this nebulous bit of wisdom ... "The outhaul line should be fairly snug".
Snug, by my definition would make the body of a hoist sail smooth (no ripples radiating out from the tack) when filled with a little wind, but leave slight scallops between the sail clips. If the foot and luff seams are taught straight the outhauls are probably over tight.
Thanks Wayne for expanding on what I should have written regarding the control lines.
Better be safe than sorry with an expensive new sail, especially if you want to race.
Better be safe than sorry with an expensive new sail, especially if you want to race.
acs026
Member
Thanks Everyone I appreciate all the advice.