Red sails

[jimmyss]

In days of old, Sails were dipped in a vat of water and pine bark??? this made the sails red
What is the liquid called....

 

[TamarMike]

Bark

(...sorry the dog below (Floss)is always there, nothing to do with the answer!)

 

[monkey_trousers]

cutch

 

[jimmyss]

cutch... thats it....

 

[snowleopard]

First you made up a solution of cutch and applied it to the sail. To 'fix' it you had to then treat it with a solution of Potassium Bichromate.

The alternative treatment that produced a similar colour was fish oil and red ochre. Not as nice smelling though.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

A fairly extensive discussion here

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/general-discussion-sailing-related/22807-red-brown-sails.html