Storing sails

[Atiyeh12]

I am a new sailor... Well I'm new to boats I don't consider myself a sailor seeing as I can't sail the boat alone. Anyway, we are lives boards on an Alburg 35 with 3 cats and 2 adults. I think that the extra sails can be stored in the cockpit lockers but my other half says no. Can someone help me. They take up a lot of space.

[skipmac]

What reason does the other half give for not storing the sails in the cockpit locker?

Basically if it's dry and not full of chemical fumes from paint or something the cockpit locker should be acceptable as long as the other half has not designated that space for something else "more important".

[Sailmonkey]

That's exactly where we store all the extra headsails. Can't think of a better place for them!!

You do need to rove them periodically and make sure they're dry though

[Atiyeh12]

He said they would get damp and get mildew on them. As long as once in a while there taken out and aired out... Like after a bad rain... They should be fine right? There in sail bags.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Atiyeh12

He said they would get damp and get mildew on them. As long as once in a while there taken out and aired out... Like after a bad rain... They should be fine right? There in sail bags.

The sail bags don't do a bit to keep the sails dry or mildew free, but finding the small leaks in the lockers and fixing them along with pulling the sails out after a heavy rain is the way to go.
I've got two new sails in the ckpit locker with no ill effects.

[skipmac]

Well in my experience, store something anywhere on a boat, close it up and leave it for a while and it will mildew no matter if it's in a cockpit locker or the forepeak.

As long as the cockpit locker doesn't leak, and as Sailmonkey points out, the sail is dry before storage and yes taking it out occasionally to air it out, then I see little difference between storing in the bow or the locker. But reiterate, as long as the locker doesn't leak.

[roverhi]

Mildew won't effect a synthetic other than any leather work on the sail. Sail may end up looking like crap but will still be serviceable. Rinse the sails to get any residual salt off them, let them dry and neatly fold the sails and place in bags. While the sails are out of the locker try and find where the leaks are and fix them. To do it right, will usually involve pulling the offending fastener(s) and hardware and recaulking with Butyl, LifeCaulk or the 3M polyurethanes.

[JPA Cate]

Before you store the sails, hoist them slowly, giving them a fresh water "bath" on each side. This is to remove salt and dirt. Let them dry. Then fold, bag, and store.

Honestly, I don't think you can totally avoid mildew, but it is great if you can discourage it happening. You don't give us an idea of your location, and the aggressiveness of mildew is greater in areas that have high humidity all year around. If you are in one of them, once the sails are clean, air each of them once a month. All that should help.

If the sails are folded on a dock or a lawn, you can usually get them pretty tidy. Get someone to show you how if you are unfamiliar with doing it.

Ann

[Atiyeh12]

Forgive me Ann... I'm in charleston sc as of now however we are getting ready to move to rhode island