Halyards, Sheets, and Lines: A Guide to Choosing and Maintaining Your Sailboat Rigging
How to Choose the Right Halyard/Sheet When choosing a halyard for your sailboat, several factors come into play. These include…
Building the Ultimate Offshore Sail Repair Kit: 12 Essential Items to Include
As a blue water cruiser, you know that preparation is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable sailing experience. One…
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Spring Sailing Tips
Measuring up for a Successful Spring Season: Checking Equipment and Skills Here’s some resources to help you assess your preparedness…
Can Different Types of Sailcloth Become Moldy?
Sails can get moldy, but it can be avoided. You have to make sure to try to keep it dry and avoid furling the sail when it’s wet. Taking the sail down and storing it is also an effective method when trying to combat mold. Mold and mildew show up differently in Dacron and Laminate sails and as such these sail fabrics require different techniques. This video explores the best ways to keep your Dacron and laminate sails clean and extend their longevity. […]
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Getting Ready for Winter – Winterizing Your Sailboat
Getting your boat ready for winter is an important step in boat ownership. Not winterizing your boat can lead to serious consequences. For the boat owners who are not able to continue sailing during the winter months, this blog outlines processes on how to winterize your sailboats engine, fuel systems, water systems, head, sails, and batteries.
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Get Your Sailboat Ready For Spring – Checklist And Infographic
Is your sailboat ready for spring? The sailing season is almost here, but with all the joy that comes with sailing comes the monotonous task of preparing the boat for the season. Unwrapping the boat, cleaning the hull, checking the rigging… There is so much to do, and for most casual cruisers, not much time. The list and infographic below are great guides preparing for the spring sailing season. Here is a quick Spring Sailing Checklist and helpful infographic to help cut through the grime and get you back out on the water.
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Checking Sails At Home
With the sailing season almost upon those of us living in the northern hemisphere, now is the time to inspect our sails so we can be confident they will survive another season of abuse. Unfortunately, this is not one of the more glamorous or exciting parts of sailing, and for some, it can fall by the wayside until it is too late. However, if you do not mind filling your living room with Dacron for an afternoon, we will show you how to inspect your sails from the comfort of your own couch!
Removing Mildew, Rust and Dirt from your Sails!
Have you ever taken your sails out of storage or unfurled them and discovered the dreaded black blotches of mildew have made their unfortunate appearance? The regrettable truth is mildew, rust stains, and dirt are common occurrences on sails. If you have noticed your sails becoming dirtier after pulling them out of storage or unfurling them this guide is aimed at helping reduce and remove mildew, rust, and other markings on your sail. Discover how to get your sails back to their peak appearance and prevent mildew from growing.
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How to Install Spreader Patches
A Spreader Patch is a strip of Insignia cloth which is used to protect sections of your sail from chafing caused by spreaders or other sharp objects which can press up against the sail. They are applied to sails to prolong the life of your sails. In this blog examine when spreader patches should be applied and how to install them.
Maintaining Your Sails and Increasing Their Lifespan
There is an old saying that B.O.A.T. is an acronym for “bring on another thousand”. Unfortunately there is some truth in this as sailboats require continuous maintenance and upgrades. This includes the eventual challenge of deciding between having to be content with your old, worn out sails or replacing them with new sails. Whether your sails are old and ragged or new and bright, here are a few things you can do in order to prolong the lifespan of your sails and maximize their performance.
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Crosscut and Tri-Radial Sails
Looking for a new sail, you’ve probably come across the terms crosscut and tri-radial. These are the two most common configurations of panel construction in sails. This blog explores the differences between these two sail patterns, why fibers are important, and the differences between sailcloth types. Learn all you need to know to decide which sail is the best for your boat.