FOUR KEY COMPONENTS TO OFF-SEASON SAIL CARE
FOUR KEY COMPONENTS TO OFF-SEASON SAIL CARE
Sails constitute a significant investment, so it's critical to identify and address maintenance issues early.
The off-season is the ideal time to give your sails the TLC they deserve. Keeping your sails on an annual maintenance schedule will aid in extending the lifespan of your sails and maintaining peak performance. Make the most of seasonal downtime with annual maintenance to maximize your time on the water during the sailing season.
SAIL REPAIR
The most common problems our experts address during off-season sail care are chafing, wear & tear on UV covers, webbing degradation, and stitching degradation. Your North Sails Certified Service Expert will identify your sail’s issues during our signature 10-point inspection and recommend the best course of action.
The most common problems our experts address during off-season sail care are chafing, wear & tear on UV covers, webbing degradation, and stitching degradation. Your North Sails Certified Service Expert will identify your sail’s issues during our signature 10-point inspection and recommend the best course of action.
SAIL WASH
Sun, salt, city air, and mildew all make your sails dirty at the end of the season. There are several ways to clean sails. A good rinse before the winter will get off surface grime, but you'll need a pro to help with mildew issues. Mildew is a symptom of microscopic organisms that thrive in an atmosphere of air and water. Once mildew enters the sail structure, it will cause permanent staining. Sailmakers use a combination of chemicals and methods in a controlled atmosphere to clean a sail effectively without damaging performance.
Sun, salt, city air, and mildew all make your sails dirty at the end of the season. There are several ways to clean sails. A good rinse before the winter will get off surface grime, but you'll need a pro to help with mildew issues. Mildew is a symptom of microscopic organisms that thrive in an atmosphere of air and water. Once mildew enters the sail structure, it will cause permanent staining. Sailmakers use a combination of chemicals and methods in a controlled atmosphere to clean a sail effectively without damaging performance.
PERFORMANCE RECUTS
Reshaping a sail is the best way to get that extra season or two out of your sails. But reshaping and recuts won't magically make a 10-year-old sail perform like new again. Over time, different sail materials shrink and stretch in different directions and unevenly throughout the sail. For instance, the luff rope can shrink, changing its shape and causing the draft to move deeper toward the leech. The leech tape can shrink and get soft from flogging, causing cupping and degrading the sail's performance. Our Service Team can analyze the sail's draft and recommend whether it's appropriate to reshape it or if it's time to replace it.
SAIL STORAGE
Be sure your sails are dry and clean before flaking or rolling them for winter storage. Store your sails in a dry place, preferably cool and out of the sun- avoid attics, the eves of a garage, and containers as they are not temperature controlled. Get your sails off the ground to protect them from critters, squirrels, and mice who love cozying up in sails. North Sails offers winter storage at select sail lofts to ensure safe storage with no surprises when it's time to sail again.
Be sure your sails are dry and clean before flaking or rolling them for winter storage. Store your sails in a dry place, preferably cool and out of the sun- avoid attics, the eves of a garage, and containers as they are not temperature controlled. Get your sails off the ground to protect them from critters, squirrels, and mice who love cozying up in sails. North Sails offers winter storage at select sail lofts to ensure safe storage with no surprises when it's time to sail again.
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