Fabric for sail cover

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chris-s

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After re-upholstering the interior and some new cockpit cusions, I'm now looking at making a new sail cover, (not stack pack) and probably some side cockpit dodgers. I'm looking at using Sauleda acrylic canvas but can't decide whether it should be uncoated or not, particularly with regard to the sail cover to avoid mildew/mould on my nice new sails. It which would be open on the bottom, secured using bungy and hooks.

Suggestions?
 
chris-s said:
After re-upholstering the interior and some new cockpit cusions, I'm now looking at making a new sail cover, (not stack pack) and probably some side cockpit dodgers. I'm looking at using Sauleda acrylic canvas but can't decide whether it should be uncoated or not, particularly with regard to the sail cover to avoid mildew/mould on my nice new sails. It which would be open on the bottom, secured using bungy and hooks.

Suggestions?
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I used uncoated for mine it is more breathable , and you will be putting the sail away wet at times
 
I used coated on my stack pack which retains the rains that gets in for many days. I’ve learnt to stand out of the way when I open the stack pack, but don’t always remember to remind new crew. Uncoated would have been a better choice.
 
I don’t know what my 20yr old canvas is but it looks permeable, with the advantage that the sail will dry out underneath, even if soaking wet.
 
Both should be relatively breathable.

Using coated would be a waste however because with the coating on the inside of the cover I'd expect rubbing movement of the sail and cover to just wear away the (nearly invisible) coating.

A loose sail cover should allow the sail to dry if covered whilst wet. With stack packs I've always made large vent holes on the underside.
 
Pointnorth have good article on recommendations for various purposes. I used uncoated acrylic canvas for dodgers and coated for the spray hood.
 
My new mainsail from Hyde came with a really good sail bag. I do have a stack pack but it seems to me that it would be dead easy to adapt the bag ends to drop over the boom & then zip the zip along under the boom. the sail bag for the jib ( Ultimate sails) was similar r.
The zips start from the ends & meet at the middle so good for zipping up under a boom.
Carrying along from this, If you did not get a good full length sail bag perhaps a sail maker may sell you a long bag that you could adapt by slitting the ends & bob's your uncle
A large sailmaker probably has these bags mass produced so they may be fairly cheap.
 
I made one for my old boat and used uncoated, this is the normal fabric for these. The sail cover is there for UV protection, cleaning and use are what you need to stop it going mildew/mouldy. Coated or uncoated, both will keep moisure in there in the dark, and that's what would cause an issue.
 
Thanks guys, we will go with the un-coated. It’s pure vanity that demands we replace the existing faded ‘wine’ coloured sail cover and why not make some side dodgers to match and then they might as well match the uv strip on the new genoa which is a grey rather than the more common blue that off-the-shelf options come in. Making them ourselves also means I can tailor the cover for the lazy jacks and the dodgers to suit.
 
Hopefully you're aware of "venture tape" double sided basting tape. If not, get some, it really helps a lot on such a long sew. Also check out the Sailrite YouTube channel for design ideas.
 
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