Just got my new sails!

[Jcorstorphine]

Just got my new sails and don't like them!

Took delivery of my new sails this afternoon. In 50 years of “boating about in the muck”, these are my first brand new sails and they came as a bit of a shock. My last sailing boat had sails which were about 13 years old and were nice and soft and would fold easily onto the booms.

These new ones are like sheets of thin white formica and crackle like a witches cauldron and as far as tucking them up neat, I can hardly get them back in their sail bags.

Think I will get them into the bath and trample on them like a bunches of grapes

 

[saltylegs]

Well done and health to wear.
I always associate the sound of new sails flapping with the sound of 20 pound notes getting ripped up.

 

[lufc71]

...I always associate the sound of new sails flapping with the sound of 50 pound notes getting ripped up.

There, I've corrected that for you

 

[tonybannister]

Before you trample them in the bath try sailing with them first - I think you are in for a treat. I had a new set 2 years ago, they were a present from my son and his wife who are on a well paid ex-pat deal in Angola. I heard nothing of 20 pounds or 50 pounds ripping. After many years of muddling through I just felt so appreciative.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Think I will get them into the bath and trample on them like a bunches of grapes

I assume that you are joking.

New sails can be a pleasure - if they are cut right for your boat, then prepare for a transformed sailing experience...

Don't knock the filling out of the cloth more than you have to. Keep them crisp as long as possible.

 

[Wunja]

These new ones are like sheets of thin white formica and crackle like a witches cauldron and as far as tucking them up neat, I can hardly get them back in their sail bags.

I had exactly the same disappointment with my new sails. But its only when you are putting them away. The sailing is sooo much better, I'm sure you will appreciate it.

 

[DJE]

These new ones are like sheets of thin white formica and crackle like a witches cauldron and as far as tucking them up neat, I can hardly get them back in their sail bags.

They always arrive folded to the size of a briefcase and when you re-pack them the smallest they will go is the size of a large sleeping bag! We kept the very large bags from the old sails to store the new ones on board. With a lot more care we can pack the new sails in their original bags for the winter.

I was worried about flaking a crinkly new loose-footed main onto the boom but it has proved easier than the old sail. The stiffness helds me to get a fold to run straight the whole length of the boom. Don't you dare trample them in the bath. You'll be haunted by the ghosts of sailmakers forever more.

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Cement Mixer

Took delivery of my new sails this afternoon. In 50 years of “boating about in the muck”, these are my first brand new sails and they came as a bit of a shock. My last sailing boat had sails which were about 13 years old and were nice and soft and would fold easily onto the booms.

These new ones are like sheets of thin white formica and crackle like a witches cauldron and as far as tucking them up neat, I can hardly get them back in their sail bags.

Think I will get them into the bath and trample on them like a bunches of grapes

I generally put ALL new sails in a cement mixer with some hand selected round stones of about 2lb in weight each, (about fifty should do ) and a bottle of bleach with a couple of gallons of water and let the mixer run for around 24hrs.
Hey presto, Sails just like the old ones but softer !

 

[KREW2]

Lucky you, I could only afford a main, going to pick it up next week.
So, as a **** racer, what if any improvement should I expect?