A long time, provided the monofilm is of good quality. I kept the same sails for at least 7 years and they are both still being sailed occasionally with no holes. These sails vx2 & vx3 were sailed quite a bit, minimum probably 10 times a year up to 50 times a year and the vx3 is still in very good condition. I didnt treat them especially carefully apart from a once a year wash and spray with mr sheen/silicon oil which keeps the monofilm supple.

I would say the sail will last longer than the period at which it becomes well and truely obsolete. There are many NP mkIV's still around, their monofilm is not quite as good imo as the vx line but that is 12 years for a starting point. That is for a race sail also which is lightly built, durability wasnt in the brief.

mkseven, I've never heard of silicon treatment of monofilm. Does everyone/anyone else do this? I would have been afraid of getting solvents or other chemicals on it.

To put this in perspective, I'm thinking of getting a smaller sail for those epic Botany Bay southerlies. (Last weeks was a beauty!!!) I know I'd only use it a couple of times a year, but I'm happy with that so long as it lasts a number of years. I figure if it lasts 10 years, then that's good enough for me.

Thanks,
Harrow.

Mono file will break down with uv lightand being rigged and left in the sun ,again there are different types and qualities.
You have not mentioned where you are storing it.ie atic,car lounge room ,kids play area. As you would be aware watch out for your DOG and kids and your misses shoping being placed on it.One nasty crease and your going to want to sell the Dog.,trade your misses in and get take away.

I think my sails get a nice coating of Aerospace each time I use them. Well, they at least get a nice coating of aeronautical jet fuel anyway - they always feel greasy after sailing off Sydney Airport.

My sails get looked after pretty well. I always rinse them well with fresh water (that's one way to water the lawn without copping a $300 fine), and then lay them out to dry inside the house in air-conditioned comfort, before hanging them vertically in their well vented sailbags in my bedroom.

My board gets treated even better. The day I bought my Tabou Rocket home, my wife came to bed only to find that her side of the bed was already occupied - with the Tabou nicely tucked in! When she asked where did I expect to her to sleep, I simply motioned toward the board bag crumpled up on the floor, explaining that the padding and silver coating would ensure she remained comfortable and warm. I even offered to zip her up.

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In fact if new boards werent so damn expensive i'd probably trade my wife in on one

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Is that because the changeover figure is still too high?

The only creases I get in my mono sails is when getting the mast out of the luff pocket . Any tricks to avoid this ?

Haggar just tie a loop of thin rope somewhere around the headcap then just link it onto a pole/starpicket/bollard/peg and pull the mast straight out. You can tuck the rope away, neat tidy and no wrinkles.