washing sails?

> 10 years ago
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easty
easty
TAS
2213 posts
TAS, 2213 posts
17 Oct 2005 4:09pm
i've always hosed down my sails after a session, but heard recently that it is better not to, as fresh water will mildew if it doesn't dry quickly, whereas salt water wont. does this sound like crap?
Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
WA, 7733 posts
17 Oct 2005 1:59pm
It can... If washing with fresh water, make sure your sail is dry before packing it up - this may involve having a beer with some of the crew as sails dry

Leaving salt water on sails can cause the mononfilm to get scratched from salt crystals that form as the sails dry.

Have a look at the comments on sail care on the major brand websites
mkseven
mkseven
QLD
2315 posts
QLD, 2315 posts
17 Oct 2005 10:50pm
I've never hosed my sails, just derig them as soon after coming in as possible exposing your sail to more sun by hosing and waiting for it to dry is more detrimental. Have never been too concerned about salt crystals, sand yeah- salt no. My friend has a NP VX2 96/7 which I had from new and sold to him this year and it is still going strong, never had a panel replaced and was my most used sail it was always given the wet roll up treatment.

I do wash my sails once or twice per year and then spray them with mr sheen (any silicon oil would do but they dilute it with some pretty harsh solvents and silicon oil can tend to stay a bit sticky). I will use 303 protectant from now on as this does the same thing and has UV resistance.
silvec01
silvec01
WA
645 posts
WA, 645 posts
18 Oct 2005 2:01pm
Storing your sails dry in a must.

Washing your sails with fresh water can be beneficial provided you let them dry. Make sure the fresh water doesnt have too high a Chlorine concentration.

Leave the ends of the bags open will also let the sail breath and dry out better.

Chad
holgs
holgs
WA
303 posts
WA, 303 posts
20 Oct 2005 6:37pm
In my experience rolling up sails when wet after washing with freshwater can cause mould / mildew to build up whereas rolling them up wet and salty does nothing. Furthermore, the 2006 Ezzy wave rigging instructions clearly state that there is no need to rinse the sail with freshwater and that there is no need to dry it before rolling it up.
greenleader
greenleader
QLD
5283 posts
QLD, 5283 posts
21 Oct 2005 10:56pm
whatever you do.
don't wash them.just keep them dry,clean,salty and rolled.
when you go to sell them, scrub with water and detergent,rinse and there you go!
shimmy
shimmy
QLD
51 posts
QLD, 51 posts
22 Oct 2005 6:01am
Ive always rolled the sails up in the water, that way you dont grass and what not left on your sail...It gets rolled up crystal clean and salty ...
RAL INN
RAL INN
SA
2898 posts
SA, 2898 posts
22 Oct 2005 8:15am
Easty,
All those seasons at Eppalock, ever get mould on your sails?

I always said " the only thing wrong with beaches, is Sand".

Anyway wouldn't it be impossible to dry out a sail in Tassie?
wouldn't the water just freeze?
Couldn't you just blow hot air on them? they say two heads are better than one.

best winds
Tony L
wesdawindat
wesdawindat
WA
133 posts
WA, 133 posts
22 Oct 2005 12:22pm
Hey Easty, He just can't help himself can he??[}:)]

Tony I've had a little think about it an although i enjoy living here in Vic, but still my home state of Tassie i will allways have a soft spot for..........

Q..Do you Know what the worst thing about Victoria is...?

A.. It's full of VICTORIANS
Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
WA, 7733 posts
22 Oct 2005 6:28pm


"Home of the Tasmanian refugee"

Weather is better in Hobart than Melbourne
waveslave
waveslave
WA
4263 posts
WA, 4263 posts
22 Oct 2005 7:35pm
Girls,

I always use SURF when I wash my kites.

For that whiter than white, fresh, spring look...try SURF.

It's the power cleanser.
Yousurf
Yousurf
WA
165 posts
WA, 165 posts
22 Oct 2005 8:38pm
Salt preserves meat, why not sails?
waveslave,
waveslave,
WA
4 posts
WA, 4 posts
22 Oct 2005 11:45pm
Is that what that brown stuff is that comes out of my ears and stains my pillow
FilthyAmatuer
FilthyAmatuer
WA
877 posts
WA, 877 posts
23 Oct 2005 1:08pm
lol, this is hilarious
Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
WA, 7733 posts
23 Oct 2005 1:29pm
Two heads really are better then one
easty
easty
TAS
2213 posts
TAS, 2213 posts
23 Oct 2005 6:16pm
ok so salt is a good preservative, this fact has been utilised by seafarers for hundreds of years. i wont hose my sails anymore. but what about wetties??? they always recommend you rinse your wettie out in fresh. why would this be?? is there anyone who has a wettie that has seen many years of continual salty use with no rinsing and no ill effects to the suit?? hope so then i can stop washing that as well. washing sails and wetties takes up at least a stubby of post sail drink time!
greenleader
greenleader
QLD
5283 posts
QLD, 5283 posts
23 Oct 2005 7:53pm
yep, its true dont wash your wettie either.
salt neutralises your wee.
and stops its organisms from multiplying in the rubber!
Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
WA, 7733 posts
23 Oct 2005 7:01pm
Salt also makes things taste a lot better
RAL INN
RAL INN
SA
2898 posts
SA, 2898 posts
24 Oct 2005 7:31am
And now for something completly different.

Lesson 1 in not being seen.


Will the real waveslave please stand up!
nutbag
nutbag
154 posts
154 posts
24 Oct 2005 6:26am
You could wash your sails with Waveslave's dribble.

It's never proven useful for anything else.
There's plenty of it, so we can continue to convserve water.

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