Sail Care - Read and Pay Attention !!

By Gaastra HomePage : http://www.gaastra.com/rigging_guides/care.html

Sail Care

• The worst damage done to a sail occurs from overexposure to the Sun’s UV rays. The sail lying flat with the sun shining directly overhead is particularly damaging. You should make every effort at keeping the sail in the shade when not in use. Placing the sail with the clew pointing skyward does extend the life span of a sail .

• If possible rinse your sail with fresh water, but let it dry completely before storing for several days. If you cannot dry the sail, leave it salty instead. Mold cannot grow with salt water and the sail threads will not rot.

• Never let the sail flap in the wind, as this damages the Monofilm

• It is better to use a shorter mast with a base extension and the adjustable top set to zero,
  rather than a longer mast with no base extension and the adjustable top extended. You can safely extend
  your mast base up to 45 cm. (18”).

• To avoid damaging your sail, insert the sleeve-end first into the bag.

>> In soldoni, l'ideale è fare asciugare una vela all'ombra dopo averla sciacquata con acqua dolce. La vela dovrebbe essere arrotolata e rimessa nella sacca solo competamente asciutta. Se non si può attendere che la vela asciughi o per prolungati periodo di inattività, conviene arrotolarla e riporla senza averla prima sciacquarla in acqua dolce, visto che il sale impedisce alle cuciture di marcire.

REPAIRING A TEAR ON THE MONOFILM

Do not push on the tear. Carefully clean the sail with fresh water, let dry, then wipe with denatured alcohol. Do not use duct tape. Use Monofilm tape. Crystal Clear tape, a clear packaging tape works very well for this repair. Apply to both sides, using a flat surface under the sail.
For tears that will go through a sewn panel, use Dacron insignia cloth. On structural panels that have high loads, such as the luff panel, and foot area, it is best to sew the repair.