running in sails

[jana]

just got a new rr genoa with foam luff. and about to use it for the first time. Should I only sail in winds under a certain speed for a while to run the sail in? What's the proper course of action?
thanks

jana

 

[DoctorD]

Sails do not need running in. In fact they are at their best when new and unstretched. Good question though.

 

[Strathglass]

I would disagree with the previous posting. With new sails I would always gradually sail in increasing the wind strengths to ensure that I was not stretching them by using incorrect settings until I was confident that I could set them correctly.
New sails do bed down a little as they are used.
Iain

 

[vyv_cox]

Hood told me to sail the first few times in not more than Force 4 when I bought new main and genoa. Don't apply heavy halyard or sheet loads at first.