Headsail Cover

[windlipper]

My boat is moored in Canary Islands and it's often left for a few weeks at a time. I have religiously taken the furling headsail down each time I leave it to protect it from the sun, even though I have sacrificial strip.
I've thought about getting one of those sausage like furling headsail covers to save me the hassle (I'm often on my own and a bit lazy!) North Sails make one but the cost is mind boggling.
I have no idea how easy they are to use or how effective. Before I consider it further, has anyone used one?

 

[l'escargot]

The boat on the next pontoon to me has one, the tightening cords have worked loose and it has been flogging away all night in the 35 knot gusts. Based on that experience, I wouldn't have one and would take the sails down still in the same situation as you.

 

[VicS]

My boat is moored in Canary Islands and it's often left for a few weeks at a time. I have religiously taken the furling headsail down each time I leave it to protect it from the sun, even though I have sacrificial strip.
I've thought about getting one of those sausage like furling headsail covers to save me the hassle (I'm often on my own and a bit lazy!) North Sails make one but the cost is mind boggling.
I have no idea how easy they are to use or how effective. Before I consider it further, has anyone used one?

I had one, admittedly only home made and without any internal tightening cords. It flapped and flogged alarmingly. so soon gave up on it as no good.
I've always, therefore, taken the sail off

If the sail is safely stowed below, short of rats or mice getting at it, you know it will come to no harm.

It nearly as much trouble to fit and remove sail covers as it is to remove the sails anyway.

I take the main off as well.

 

[Rattler]

I think if you have a spare haylard wrap it around the cover which will help to stop it from flogging. They also help to stop the sail from un-furling when moored.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I have used one for 15 years. I make my own. It's up all year, and properly designed and used, survives winter gales without problem. They last about 6 years before UV damage weakens them. Costs about £100 in parts, half of which is for the 15m zip.

 

[johnalison]

We used one for several years. The main problem was in getting it slack enough to lower it. Because of friction, the cords tended to stay tensioned, and the resultant friction ended up wearing the sail. I have seen covers with rollers for the cord, and this probably helps. It also helps to divide the cord into two or three sectors.

 

[pvb]

I've never understood the appeal of headsail covers. They're more expensive than a sacrificial strip. They don't last any longer. They don't offer any more protection. They can chafe and wear the sail. They're potentially a pain to put on or take off. And you have to store them somewhere when they're off.

 

[windlipper]

Thanks for the replies. I contacted CJ Marine who make these they call them "Genoa Socks". They advised against having one unless the boat is regularly monitored because of the risk of unravel in the wind, which it is in my case.. Did themselves out of a sale, the honesty impressed me!
In view of this and replies above I have decided to ditch this idea, sad but I've saved myself about 400 quid.

 

[johnalison]

A properly set up cover shouldn't unravel in the wind, if anything, it should be more secure than a furled sail. It does add some windage though, and I always tried to avoid manoeuvring the boat with a cover on.

 

[Ripster]

The Westerly across the fairway from us has a Jib sail cover. It constantly flogs in the wind and is loose enough to cause the forestay to bend in a strong gust. Sounds like a loose sheet. Like others, I have never seen the appeal. Just more kit to faff about with. Just get the UV strip replaced every few years.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I've never understood the appeal of headsail covers. They're more expensive than a sacrificial strip. They don't last any longer. They don't offer any more protection. They can chafe and wear the sail. They're potentially a pain to put on or take off. And you have to store them somewhere when they're off.

I don't want some shapeless bit of sacrificial strip sewn to my carbon laminate sail. That's the reason why.