How bad is it to have sails against spreaders?

[lindabarzini]

If your sail is up against your spreaders on a beam reach, how bad is it for your sails?

[Sailmonkey]

Usually on a beam reach if your sails are on the spreaders you're not trimmed properly...

However, assuming that you just want to know about the sail on the spreader, I try to avoid it, but it will not create significant wear unless the sail is moving around a lot while in contact with said spreader.

[UNCIVILIZED]

It's going to vary with what the sail's made of, & how sharp the edges of what it's rubbing on are. And while it's not an ideal situation, sometimes it's unavoidable. You can however, add chafe protection to the sails, & to the various rigging bits. Even if it's just a layer or two of insignia cloth. The stuff which is normally used to make sail numbers, as well as do small patches on spinnakers.
Or you can even add split pieces of small diameter vinyl tubing to the various offending rigging bits. Much as is done on some stays.
Then just check the sail regularly while at sea, which is part of the routine for inspecting everything at least once per watch anyway.

[thomm225]

It wouldn't happen on a beam reach unless you just don't know how to trim your sails.

It will happen when racing and trying to point high in which case you wouldn't care because you are racing.

If cruising, ease the sheet a bit because it just doesn't matter that much.

[Training Wheels]

Whenever I have my main out far enough to touch my stays, I rig a vang and preventer to firmly hold my boom, to minimize chafing on my sail.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by thomm225

It wouldn't happen on a beam reach unless you just don't know how to trim your sails.

It will happen when racing and trying to point high in which case you wouldn't care because you are racing.

If cruising, ease the sheet a bit because it just doesn't matter that much.

Huh.....hadn't even thought the OP might have meant the headsail.


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[Calif.Ted]

For close hauled sailing with large laminate genny's we put "wear patches" at the spreaders and lifeline stanchions and "boots" on the spreader tips but still try to keep it an inch off the spreader tips. If the other guy is out pointing you however some guys are right on the spreader.

[SaltyMonkey]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baggywrinkle

[SaltyMonkey]

[SaltyMonkey]

[savoir]

Just make sure that the sail has a chafe patch on each side where the spreaders touch.

[Snowpetrel]

Typical aerofoil spreader has a resonably sharp trailing edge. For longer ocean trips its worth covering it with plastic tube taped on to prevent mainsail chafe. In this case chafe is minimal as long as you lock the boom in place. Batten pocket chafe on the shrouds is worse.

Spreader ends need really good anti chafe or they can do a lot of damage to main and headsail. Best to use a non overlapping jib if its regularly collapsing into the spreaders in light airs or broad reaching as it backwinds behind the main.

[tuffr2]

Just when I think it is safe to sail...you guys are killing me.

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[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Can you say MEGA windage. A guy in my marina used to have a fair number of these on his Hans Christian, & when it blew upwards of 30kts, he'd heel over 25 deg. or more in his slip. Which is why I didn't mention them.

For overlapping jibs, spreader boots are handy. Pre-made in rubber. Or, if you're handy with a punch & a needle, there's leather.

[lindabarzini]

I guess I should have said "running" as the point of sail. It seems there will always be a problem with swept back spreaders and down wind running. Is the solution to rely on a headsail like a spinnaker or asym, not the mainsail (especially if swept spreaders) for running?