Could it work?

[reginaldon]

Just musing lately, could one paint or dye a dark u/v strip on a furling headsail? I imagine it could resist u/v deterioration, alternatively could one iron-on or stick-on broad tape or would this be one economy too far?
Tight Yorkshireman

 

[davidpbo]

I believe it cost us about £70 to have a UV strip put on our ageing forsail on a 23ft boat a few years ago. IMHO one of the best spends we made on maintenance and repair.

 

[Talbot]

The UV strip is not the colour, but the type of material. You can have it any colour, and it is a sacrificial strip, designed to deteriorate from the UV, but not affect the strength of the sail. Once destroyed by the UV it is then replaced. (cheaper than replacing a sail)

 

[Alfie168]

I have a zipped sock that goes round the furled genoa and is pulled up using the Spinnaker halyard. The sock and the genoa are from 1984. The sock is due for replacement soon as the material is getting fragile, but there is very little UV damage to the sail which is a testament to this method of protection.

The socks I have seen advertised in the chandlery mags seem to be very expensive. I am currently negotiating with SWMBO to make me a replacement as she is pretty handy with the sewing machine, but I'd venture that a sailmaker would run one up for less than the silly (to me at any rate) prices in the force 4 catalogue in which they range from £179 up to £400 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

A sock also protects the sail from the risk of flogging which can wreck a sail in no time. I'm sure we've all seen unattended yachts with furled genoas in tatters.

Just my 2 pence worth.

Tim

 

[mikehibb]

In Bodrum area there are places on every street corner with industrial sewing machines. These guys (yes it is usually guys) can make up UV strips/cockpit cushions/upholstery reapairs in no time at all and at a very good price.

Last trip over to Turkey I had some emergency repais on the upholstery just to get me over until next trip when I intend to have it all re-upholstered. Dropped the cushion covers of one afternoon, next morning all fixed. Then came the argument over price, he refused any payment, took a few minutes to get some one to translate for me that I insisted on paying. But still no cash was allowed to change hands.

The guy did real good work, and next trip he will get my thanks by way of a contract for re-upholstering the lot.

 

[reginaldon]

Thanks folks,