On deck sail storage

[Hadenough]

We inherited a beautiful, completely unused cruising chute with our boat. It currently lives in the only locker space available in the forward cabin in an under bunk locker and is such a pain to get at I know we probably won't bother using it (two up). We don't have any cockpit or on deck lockers big enough to store it, so we are thinking of storing it on deck in a canvas bag April to November throughout. Question is, how bad us this likely to be for the sail? I'm happy to accept fair wear and tear so that it gets used but don't want to damage it unecessarily. Any one else do this? Our sailing area is UK and Northern Europe.

 

[Blueboatman]

I made up a large bag that sits ahead of the dodger. With ties and straps. It holds a goodly few (4) sails, incl chute and snuffer, and a couple of awnings. a large solar panel sits comfortably on top and one can still see partly through the dodger, so I am not wasting space or obviously adding cruising boat deck clutter... Well, maybe a bit!
There is a degree of through ventilation, a drain hole in each corner, a large 'flap' to throw back on sunny dry days or to yank the chute out... and seemingly no mould to date.
( I was quite wary of condensation inside the hull with sails stuffed away when running winter heating, even with a dehumidifier)....

I also made a jib-bag that, along with the remove-able inner forestay and sheets etc, sits happily by the shrouds , summer and winter , wet and dry. Again, no visible effect tho the piston banks are Vaselined...

Food for thought?

I do wash off and dry the cruising chute from a salty sail tho b4 stuffing it away

Both bags made from acrylic canvas

 

[knuterikt]

We inherited a beautiful, completely unused cruising chute with our boat. It currently lives in the only locker space available in the forward cabin in an under bunk locker and is such a pain to get at I know we probably won't bother using it (two up). We don't have any cockpit or on deck lockers big enough to store it, so we are thinking of storing it on deck in a canvas bag April to November throughout. Question is, how bad us this likely to be for the sail? I'm happy to accept fair wear and tear so that it gets used but don't want to damage it unecessarily. Any one else do this? Our sailing area is UK and Northern Europe.

We have "rail bag" that clips on to the rail, we can fit two sails in that bag (Code 0 and cruising chute).
The sails are easily available and get used a lot.
If we expect weather where the bag might be a problem we tale the sails down below in their sail bags and roll up the rail bag and secure it. Alternative is to take bag and sails down - but two sails in bag is a little bit to much.

Picture is of an early design

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/knuterikt/733fd5cf.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/knuterikt/c0076e41.jpg

 

[tolhurstorganic]

I keep a staysail (hanked on) in a waterproof canvas acrylic sail bag lashed to the bulwarks all summer long. The bag has a hole at the top, which is actually on the end facing aft and slightly downhill when bag is lashed on sideways, so some ventilation. Have done this since sail was new 4 years ago. The sail gets bundled in roughly with sheets on top when not sailing. No problem of mildew or damp so far. When sailing the sail is hanked on at all times, Naida is cutter rig with jib on furler on bowsprit. Providing the bag is good and well tied down can't see any problem with what you suggest.

 

[Hadenough]

Brilliant, thanks all, plenty of food for thought.

 

[prv]

As long as it's shielded from the sun by some kind of bag, polyester or nylon sailcloth shouldn't come to any harm. If permanently damp it might grow mildew, which is unsightly but not damaging. How about a sturdy acrylic canvas bag with a mesh panel forming whichever side is lowest in your intended storage location?

Pete

 

[sailorman]

We inherited a beautiful, completely unused cruising chute with our boat. It currently lives in the only locker space available in the forward cabin in an under bunk locker and is such a pain to get at I know we probably won't bother using it (two up). We don't have any cockpit or on deck lockers big enough to store it, so we are thinking of storing it on deck in a canvas bag April to November throughout. Question is, how bad us this likely to be for the sail? I'm happy to accept fair wear and tear so that it gets used but don't want to damage it unecessarily. Any one else do this? Our sailing area is UK and Northern Europe.

we hoist ours from the forehatch ( in a sock ) from under the bunk, drop it back down the hatch too