Sail colours: if white isn't right, why is it so popular?

[Greenheart]

Okay, this is February, so reference to bothersome strong sunlight may seem comically out of place...

...but sailing in summer in fairly recent years, I found the Jeanneau's clean white main & genoa pretty blinding, overhead...

...and when various marques of yacht and dinghy are supplied with red, brown, even blue sails...

...why are the vast majority of sails still only available in stark white?

 

[wklein]

Because they last the longest under UV as some of it is reflected, also they don't fade with age. I don't think AWB's look right with coloured sails.

 

[Woodlouse]

Because they last the longest under UV as some of it is reflected, also they don't fade with age. I don't think AWB's look right with coloured sails.

Blue is best for uv resistance. Hence uv strips on furling sails and the dominance of blue sail covers.

White is down to tradition and cost. White canvas is cheaper than coloured material.

 

[Greenheart]

I don't think AWB's look right with coloured sails.

Many would say AWBs don't ever look right!

But I never heard owners of Mirror dinghies or Cornish Crabbers moaning about the UV damage to their sails. Is it such a reason for not taking the glare off?

Sails are costly enough anyway; I'd want to have them perfect for the money, so a small additional cost to avoid eye-discomfort, would be worth it to me.

 

[bitbaltic]

Okay, this is February, so reference to bothersome strong sunlight may seem comically out of place...

...but sailing in summer in fairly recent years, I found the Jeanneau's clean white main & genoa pretty blinding, overhead...

...and when various marques of yacht and dinghy are supplied with red, brown, even blue sails...

...why are the vast majority of sails still only available in stark white?

Quite right. This is an important consideration. Don't buy any boat until you find one with the right tint of sailcloth. Any color you like as long as it's not white.

Is this a serious post?

 

[Greenheart]

Is this a serious post?

Why should you doubt it?

So many mechanical and electrical gadgets contribute to ease and comfort whilst afloat; sail colour definitely makes a difference, yet most sails are still a painful colour. Not to everyone, but I doubt I'm alone in having sensitive eyes.

I'm pretty sure I didn't say "Don't buy any boat until you find one with the right tint of sailcloth".

 

[bitbaltic]

Why should you doubt it?

So many mechanical and electrical gadgets contribute to ease and comfort whilst afloat; sail colour definitely makes a difference, yet most sails are still a painful colour. Not to everyone, but I doubt I'm alone in having sensitive eyes.

I'm pretty sure I didn't say "Don't buy any boat until you find one with the right tint of sailcloth".

As far as I remember you don't actually have a boat. And if this post is indicative of your priorities, white sails might be a stumbling block for you.

The omens are not good.

 

[Greenheart]

As far as I remember you don't actually have a boat. And if this post is indicative of your priorities, white sails might be a stumbling block for you.

The omens are not good.

Wow, are you deliberately obnoxious?

I apologise; that was just my first response. You're no great help, though!

When I'm boat-shopping again, I'll certainly hope to find that rarest thing, a boat whose sails were available in glare-reducing shades. Sail-colour alone won't make me buy something which I wouldn't have, otherwise. I was only wondering if there was a genuine reason why these aren't more widely seen, when clearly they can be made and used...perhaps it's just ultraviolet.

 

[awol]

Have you tried tinted spectacles - that way you can have the colour you want when you want.

 

[Greenheart]

Have you tried tinted spectacles - that way you can have the colour you want when you want.

That's pretty smart thinking. I haven't worn sunglasses for many a year. I just sit around in the shade, contributing endlessly to a sunglasses forum.

 

[bitbaltic]

Never mind that first bit.

When I'm boat-shopping again, I'll certainly hope to find that rarest thing, a boat whose sails were available in glare-reducing shades. Sail-colour alone won't make me buy something which I wouldn't have, otherwise.

That's a confusing triple negative. It seems to say that sail colour alone won't make you buy a boat you won't buy [Obviously not.] Otherwise [?]

I'm sure nothing would make you buy a boat you won't buy. To make it simple for me, are you saying you wouldn't buy a boat with white sails, or that you would, if it is the right boat? If so, isn't it a very minor point about which to start a thread?

It must be winter time.

Cheers

EDIT: oh no I get it! you are saying you won't buy a **** boat with eg red sails, ie sail colour is not your priority. I am interested in the reciprocal: Are white sails a no-no.

 

[Resolution]

Dancrane
There are some practical advantages of white or near white sailcloth, in addition to the fashion factor. If you are racing, then it is the easiest colour against which to show telltales, camber stripes or similar. Race officers probably find it easier to read your sail number. And once out at sea, the white sail is pretty much the easiest to pick out from a distance (although I understand that black is sometimes in some lights the easiest).

When it comes to spinnakers, then in sunny countries one basic rule is to make the luff sections in a dark colour. Somehow the sun is always just behind the luff about which you are trimming!

If you find white too bright on the rare sunny days in the UK, it might be cheaper just to put on some sunglasses. Even with matt black sails you will still get masses of glare off the sea surface.

 

[Greenheart]

Resolution, I thank you sir, that's a proper answer.

That's a confusing triple negative. It seems to say that sail colour alone won't make you buy a boat you won't buy [Obviously not.] Otherwise [?]

I said...colour alone won't make me buy something which I wouldn't have, otherwise. I hope that's pretty clear? In other words, finding a preferred sail-colour won't persuade me to purchase a vessel which I wouldn't have bought, were it not for the conviviality of its sail-colour.

Have you honestly not noticed dozens of threads begun on lesser themes?

It certainly is winter-time, though. Cheers.

 

[bitbaltic]

Resolution, I thank you sir, that's a proper answer.



I said...colour alone won't make me buy something which I wouldn't have, otherwise. I hope that's pretty clear? In other words, finding a preferred sail-colour won't persuade me to purchase a vessel which I wouldn't have bought, were it not for the conviviality of its sail-colour.


Have you honestly not noticed dozens of threads begun on lesser themes?

It certainly is winter-time, though. Cheers.

Yes I think we came to the same point. Colour of sail won't drive your choice of boat.

I have to disagree that there are may lesser themes, though! Colour of hull would be more important to me, and whilst I am sure such threads exist, I haven't seen too many 'bilge keel for family sailing- reccomendations wanted- not green hulled' threads lately.

Cheers and best wishes though. Never any harm meant on an internet forum.

 

[Greenheart]

I am interested in the reciprocal: Are white sails a no-no.

Any would-be boat-buyer must consider yachts with glaring white topsides, white decks, and almost invariably, white upwind sails. So, inevitably I'm drawn to many designs with bright white sails. There wouldn't be much choice otherwise.

I wonder why the same owners (and designers) who stay rigidly, contentedly with white main & genoa, are ostentatiously colourful with their spinnakers? Don't the same lot of UV reasons apply to spinnakers? I haven't seen a white one, lately. Oh well. I must buy Wayfarers. Sunglasses, I mean.

Cheers and best wishes though. Never any harm meant on an internet forum.

I echo that!

 

[Rossynant]

But it's soooo important an issue with yachts!
White sails were, after all, traditional way of wealthy snobby Yachtsmen to show off they use efficient racing cotton, while professionals raised flax or hemp in every possible shade of brown or red

Keep the noble tradition, boy!

 

[prv]

It's a question of what looks right for the type of boat. Kindred Spirit would have looked daft with white sails; the new boat (fastish fractional sloop, dark blue hull) would look absurd with tanned ones. I have seen a few photos of boats in the 70s with blue sails - they looked awful!

Can't say I've ever noticed glare from sails being a specific problem (compared to, say, the sun itself), even in the Med or the Caribbean.

Pete

 

[Rossynant]

It's a question of what looks right for the type of boat; the new boat (fastish fractional sloop, dark blue hull) would look absurd with tanned ones.

Reeely? https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/545063_455638937799473_1473669129_n.jpg
How many racers have white sails now, with all those laminates, anyway? Not that this is easy to look at...
http://yachtpals.com/files/userimages/ocean-racing.jpg

 

[prv]

It's a question of what looks right for the type of boat. Kindred Spirit would have looked daft with white sails; the new boat (fastish fractional sloop, dark blue hull) would look absurd with tanned ones.

Reeely? https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/545063_455638937799473_1473669129_n.jpg

Sorry, the English language causing mischief again

Those sails are "tan" in colour, the same colour as a "tan sofa" or whatever. But they are not tanned sails. Those were originally tanned like leather, to preserve the natural fibres they were made from. They came out a dark reddish brown colour. Nowadays we make sails in polyester, but when we dye them that same traditional colour, we still call them tanned. Here is my old boat, with tanned sails, that I was comparing to: http://www.pixstel.com/yawl-kindred-spirit-_urlb23307.php?db=0

That colour on a modern style hull would look out of place.

Pete

 

[Rossynant]

Don't worry, I know that. (knowing ships more than English)
But sails really "tanned" were brownish, and not necessarily dark, from tannin resins and such, catehu, quebracho, or whatever tanbark locally at hand for cheaper. This was in water solution.
Red was from oil impregnating - "dressing" - using oil and ochre.