Can I ask????

[powerskipper]

Why are most sail boats main sail whiteish.
Is there any reason why this is???


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Julie

 

[Bejasus]

Well, you might find it has something to do with thermal efficiancy/dynamics....................then again, I might be full of s$*t.

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[MainlySteam]

'Cos just like brides, we are pure.

John

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[cliff]

hysterically speaking, sail canvas was white(ish) as in ye olde times dye was expensive and not colourfast.

Here we have an example of if it works, don't change it (no PC'ness in those days)

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[graham]

Coloured sails cost 10 to 20% more.




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[powerskipper]

So sails are white because of there
thermo efficiancy dynamical pure brides are not colourfast and are cheaper!!

So could that mean
1, sails are warmer if white. [ would the air not rise then]
2, there pure like all sailor are /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[ or would like us to beleive they are/forums/images/icons/wink.gif]
3 , to avoid streaking of the owner or the boat [from colour runing] good mind pic there!!!
4, and the deciding factor! there cheaper, /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Thanks it was something I had wondered about.

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Julie

 

[wishbone]

In ye olden days they were natural off white colour, so that your skull & crossbones would show up better!

<hr width=100% size=1>Wishbone
Rolling, rolling, rolling keep them doggies moving!
Where’s me chuck wagon gone?

 

[ubuysa]

<font size=1>1, sails are warmer if white. [ would the air not rise then]</font size=1>

Actually sails are cooler because they're white. They reflect most of the sun's energy (that's why they appear white). Black sails would be warmer.

Just being pedantic/forums/images/icons/wink.gif Tony C.

<hr width=100% size=1>There are 10 kinds of people, those who understand binary and those who don't.

 

[powerskipper]

ok point taken, /forums/images/icons/smile.gif can tell its a sleepy sunday,

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Julie

 

[charon]

Don't worry. If they didn't like you they would ignore you. hope that you are having a good weekend.

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[charon]

It has occurred to me that with all this friendly bandinage that your question has not been answered.
Sailcloth, especially the older canvas, is susceptible to damage by the ultra-violet light in sunlight and will deteriorate over time. In times past the sails were coated in a brownish stain (Ochre?) that tended to minimise or slow down the 'rate of rot' and some classes of boat today still have coloured sails as a requirement. The Squib keeboat is one that comes to mind.
Sails are normally white today because that is cheaper as said in previous posts but sacrificial strips are used, especially on furling headsails. These are normally seen as a broad hem on the rim at the rear and base of the sail so that when the sail is furled it overlaps on itself and protects the structure of the sail.
This is not a new concept as square rigged ships (tall ships as in Master and Commander) also have sacrificial strips on their sails along the top rim on the rear side so that when the sail is handed (furled) it is folded in on itself by lots of people on the yards then rolled up on top of the yard in what is called a Harbour Stow so that this strip is uppermost, protecting the sail from the rays of the sun.

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