Have you had a wash recently?

Caer Urfa

Caer Urfa

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Location
Shropshire
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Taking my Genoa in for some repairs soon and the local chandler wants to know if I want my sails 'washed' at the same time.
How often do others recommend or get their sails washed?
I am told they charge for washing by the weight of the sail !
Is it worth it, can you realy see a differance?
 
Getting sails washed is probably worth it, but generally you will not find them much improved visibly. The main reason for washing is to remove salt crystals and getting a sailmaker to do it saves you an awkward job. No doubt others will disagree, but I find getting them dry properly is not easy (we usually do it at this time of year with short days and long periods of rain.) Once it is dry you have the problem of folding it without getting it wet or dirty again.

Regarding the appearance, I have always found that they are not returned completely "clean." There are always dark marks where the cover has trapped dirt (on the main) or on "hard spots" (on the genoa.) I have tried removing these separately with various cleaners from household soap to handwash liquid and I have not made any noticable improvement either.

One thing to note is that the cover should also be washed, but that is a job you can do at home, as it is smaller and easier to hang up to dry.
 
We had ours laundered last year - they get sent off somewhere and they charged by the kg.

Our sailmaker basically did:

Laundery @ £x per kg = x
Postage @ £x per kg = x
Small repairs = x

For a genoa, staysail, and main I think it came to about £250 for the lot (on a 37 footer - with triple stiched heavy sails).

Jonny
 
I had a sailmaker launder my sails once. The laundry had a fire and my sails were destroyed. The sailmaker said he had taken legal advice and that if I wanted any compensation I would have to sue him and would probably lose! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I had to claim off my insurance, pay my excess and lost NCB. Never went back to that sailmaker, it folded soon after I think. Serves him right. I always wash them myself now. Wait until a still day and hang them up in the garden. string a line between suitable trees and the house. Attack both sides witha a hose and leave to dry. Do not try this on a windy day! When dry take them down, avoiding the muddy puddle you woill have created underneath them and roll carefully.
 
We had some sails washed some years ago. It knocked the stuffing right out of them and we ended up having to get new ones.
 
I have had sails over wintered by Gowens three times. The cleaning is about £35 a sail and the work has been very good. The added advantage is that they store them free over winter as well
 
I'm having my Genny washed & repaired . Quote for washing was £4.50 a Kg- £45 in my case. I was advised my 1 yo mainsail certainly didn't need washing & unless unusual usage or "events", a commercial wash wouldn't be necessary for a few years yet.
 
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