Lift Out - removing sails

[hoped4]

We are approaching the time for our first lift out. The marina advises remove all sails etc liable to cause windage. However, some of the boats already lifted seem not to have bothered - with main and furling genoa still in situ. Am I just being lazy or is it really necessary to remove? Will be good practice for familiarisation. Also should I remove the mainsail 'stakpak'? I believe it also refers to through hull transducers such as the log - this certainly wasn't removed when surveyed this year. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Pye_End]

Remove, every time.

Does not just remove windage, but also will give your sails longer life as they will not be subject to UV.

Worth doing before you come out - can be more scary with sails up when you are out and held up by a few lumps of wood!

 

[flaming]

Agree.

And please take the time to flake your sails. I've a load of cruisers just shoving their Genoa in a bag as if it was dirty laundry. It may not be a brand new suit of 3DLs but they'll still last longer when treated properly!

 

[eclipsemullet]

Yes, take them off and store them somewhere dry.

It might be worth getting them laundered every other year, or so. Your local sailloft will be able to advise.

We keep ours down below when we are out of the water. We run a dehumidifier all winter, so that stops the cloth going mouldy. Seems to work well.

 

[oldharry]

Take them off - before someone else does!

 

[MoodySabre]

It's worth taking the stackpack off too - mine slides out with the main anyway. It will turn green over winter and will wear from the wind. Dodgers and sprayhood likewise and bag up your running rigging if you can't take it off.

 

[Dipper]

Yes. Remove your sails.

It does reduce windage and saves them from UV damage. Also, sails can remain damp during the winter months and with any dust/dirt that settles on them algae can start growing. Take a look at any 'abandoned' yachts you see that still have sails on and you will see what I mean. They're grey/green. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I always remove my log impeller partly to avoid any damage to the paddlewheel but also to allow a tiny bit of ventilation into the bows of the boat.

 

[ColinHuggins]

Um, isn't there some small print about sails not being insured? Or have we moved on since the Storm of October 1987 when 1000's of claims for shredded furling headsails were dismissed?

Certainly I had to convince my present insurers that the overall cockpit cover was semi-permanent for it to be included.

 

[guernseyman]

Take everything off. Halyards, outboard motor bracket, etc etc. Everything needs maintenance.

Er, and your mast(s) - new boat ? - how about unstepping it/them ?
I've seen some real horrors on masts that have just been unstepped: missing split pin, for example. You really should check it all out, mast top stuff, electrics and all.

 

[Lakesailor]

Just because it's not floating doesn't mean it's not windy.
This was last week

 

[hoped4]

Thank you all for your replies - That's absolutely unanimous then! Will remove stakpack and sprayhood of course too and ensure I give a thorough check over everything. Hope to have the boat back in within 8 weeks to get some more winter sailing in. thanks again!!!))))