The last two days I have put a hole in the panels of two sails.
I repaired it with some Bunnings tape.
This raises a few questions
How long should a sail last? I sail about 40 times a year. My sais are secondhand.
How can you prevent creases in your sail?
What sails are the strongest and last the longest?
Monofilm panels are going to crease and break regardless, especially if already second hand and a few seasons old.
If you use them regularly the UV breaks down the film and reduces the longevity
X ply panels will last longer but add weight. Also if you puncture the sail the fabric can resist blowing out the whole panel.
Select to expand quoteMaddog49 said..
The last two days I have put a hole in the panels of two sails.
I repaired it with some Bunnings tape.
This raises a few questions
How long should a sail last? I sail about 40 times a year. My sais are secondhand.
How can you prevent creases in your sail?
What sails are the strongest and last the longest?
When not sailing, Don't ever leave your sails lying in the sun if possible. (Avoiding UV)
Avoid the unrigged sail flapping about in the wind when rigging and derigging, (This creates unnecessary and avoidable creasing)
I've had sails from new last 5 to 7 years.
I used to wash them down 20 years ago, but realised this process would lead to potential creasing on windy days with sail flapping about (if the sail wasn't rigged up), and did far more damage than salt water.
All good advice above
Also - after inserting the mast, don't lay the sail on the ground until full downhaul has been applied. Stops crinkling.
Same when derigging, remove extension and keep mast (bottom) up at waist level. Pull mast out by twisting and pulling - or have somebody hold the sail head - rather than then hands together-hands apart method that creases it badly around window level.
I also proactively tape bad creases with clear mylar tape you can't even see it
Don't despair too much, I have used a taped up sail for many many sessions..... if it was clean and quality tape used it will last years.............
