Sail eating termites hiding behind UV strip

jimi

jimi

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Anyone else encountered these little beasties? They live in the UV strip and venture out to consume the sail cloth fibres before returning to their habitat. They can be detected by their excrement which manifests itself as gritlike poo found in the UV sailcoth interface?
 
The better sail makers put a shaped cedar wood (a well known natural insect repellent) batten under the UV strip, this not only repels the termites but helps the sail shape when furling.

If you have purchased sails from one of the lesser makers who doesn't do this, I can supply a liquid which can be sprayed on the offending area to eliminate the termites, at only 26 Guineas for a 50 ml bottle, an absolute snip. P&P extra.
 
I've heard tht the termites don't like pure white or wind. They are very light and get easily blown away. Allegedy can be a problem with cream or tan cloured sails where the sails are'nt used very much.
 
Unfortunately some mites, downright sinister ones, have proven adaptive to counterclockwise furling measures..

If the sail is re stitched using triple stitching there is at least three times the likelihood of nailing te little bastads with the needle.

The main thing tho, if inspired to post such thoughtful subjects , is to have a goodly accurate thermometer for the garage spirit still, this minimising brain fuzz and ensuring a future supply of top quality , helpful thread initiatives like this 'un
 
an established remedy to kill fleas and lice sheltering in human clothing is to put the clothes in a deep freeze for at least 24 hours.

I'm sure you can find room in the jimi household freezer for just a little furling genny. Everyone will understand.
 
If you'd replaced Glen Rosa with a mobo as I'm sure Bev secretly wishes you had done, you wouldn't have wild beastie problems or droppings from sails to contend with, just pray they don't suddenly get a dose of diarrhea (sp). More interestingly, why is your location stated as Ipswich in your profile?

Brian.
 
this is very worrying. Jimi has clearly neglected to take into consideration the coriolis effect on arthropods. This is frankly astonishing in a sailor of his experience, and he should be undertaking some form of pennants. Several "Sail Mary"s are called for.
 
claymore said:
Jamesie
Jes be honest wi yersel - yer efter a new sail. Blamin it oan wee mites es a bit low, even by your standards....
Click to expand...

Deed's already been done ;-) earlier today

13093_4896560005751_1003878297_n.jpg
 
jimi said:
Anyone else encountered these little beasties? They live in the UV strip and venture out to consume the sail cloth fibres before returning to their habitat. They can be detected by their excrement which manifests itself as gritlike poo found in the UV sailcoth interface?
Click to expand...

Borax mixed with sugar and a little honey and made up into a liquid will soon rid you of termites and /or ants.

1 tea spoonful of borax to 10 of sugar is the recommended strength. Ants and termites love sugar but the borax is fatal to them and they carry it back to their nest. I have just recommended this for a yacht in Piriápolis, Uruguay with much success. Gone in three days, Borax powder (as sold on eBay) is worth having for liveaboaards who might suffer this indignity.

It is the same concoction that is sold as Nipon although Nipon what to keep it a trade secret.



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