Introduction
When you are a thousand miles from the nearest sail loft, your sails are your most vital piece of safety equipment. They are the engine that drives your catamaran across oceans. Protecting that engine requires constant vigilance and proactive maintenance.
The marine environment is incredibly hostile to sailcloth. Relentless UV radiation, abrasive rigging, and pervasive moisture all conspire to degrade your sails. At Kraken Sails, we build our offshore sails to withstand this punishment, but even the toughest sails require care. In this post, we will share essential tips for maintaining your sails during a long bluewater passage.
The Enemy Number One: Chafe
Chafe is the single greatest destroyer of sails on an ocean passage. A single tight line or a poorly protected spreader can saw through a heavy-duty Dacron sail in a matter of hours.
Identifying the Danger Zones
On a catamaran, the primary chafe points are:
1. The Leech of the Headsail: Where it drags across the mast and swept-back spreaders when eased.
2. The Foot of the Headsail: Where it rubs against lifelines, stanchions, or radar domes.
3. The Mainsail Battens: Where the pockets rub against the shrouds or lazy jacks when sailing downwind.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
- Spreader Boots: Ensure all spreaders are fitted with smooth, oversized leather or rubber boots. Tape over any split pins or sharp edges on the rigging.
- Sacrificial Patches: When ordering sails from Kraken Sails, we install heavy-duty, adhesive-backed chafe patches (often made of Spectra or heavy Dacron) on the exact spots where the sail intersects the spreaders.
- The “Look Up” Routine: Every time you change course or trim a sail, make it a habit to walk the deck and look up. Check every inch of the sail for contact with the rigging. If it is rubbing, adjust the trim or apply a temporary patch immediately.
Managing Moisture and Mildew
In tropical climates, mildew is a constant battle. While mildew rarely affects the structural integrity of a woven Dacron sail, it is unsightly and can degrade the resale value of your boat. For laminate sails, moisture trapped between the layers can lead to delamination.
Keep Them Dry (When Possible)
- Ventilation: When anchored, open the stack pack or lazy bag to allow the mainsail to breathe and dry out.
- Avoid Wet Furls: Try not to furl a soaking wet headsail if you can avoid it. If you must, unroll it at the first opportunity when the sun comes out to let it dry completely before rolling it away for long-term storage.
- Cleaning: If mildew does appear, never use harsh bleach or chlorine-based cleaners, as these will destroy the stitching and the sailcloth fibers. Use a specialized, gentle sail cleaner or a heavily diluted solution of mild soap and water, scrubbing gently with a soft brush.
Routine Inspections at Sea
Do not wait for a sail to tear before looking at it. Establish a routine inspection schedule during your passage.
The Daily Check
Every day, preferably during the morning watch, use a pair of binoculars to inspect the sails from deck level. Look for:
* Broken or chafed stitching, particularly along the leech and the UV cover.
* Signs of wear on the webbing straps at the head, tack, and clew.
* Batten pockets that are beginning to wear through.
* Loose or missing telltales.
The Deep Dive
Every few weeks (or after a heavy blow), perform a more thorough inspection. If conditions permit, drop the sails to the deck and examine the high-load areas closely. Pay special attention to the reefing cringles and the hardware attachments.
The Offshore Repair Kit
Every bluewater catamaran must carry a comprehensive sail repair kit. If a small tear occurs, fixing it immediately will prevent it from becoming a catastrophic failure.
Your kit should include:
* Sticky Dacron/Insignia Cloth: For patching small holes and reinforcing chafed areas.
* Heavy-Duty Sail Repair Tape (e.g., Tear-Aid or Kevlar tape): For structural repairs on laminates or woven Dyneema.
* A Palm and Needles: Essential for hand-sewing thick patches or webbing.
* Heavy UV-Resistant Thread (e.g., V-138 or Tenara): For restitching seams.
* Spare Webbing and Stainless Steel Rings: For rebuilding a blown-out clew or tack.
If you discover a tear offshore, the immediate priority is to stabilize it. Clean the area with fresh water (or alcohol wipes if available) and apply sticky tape to both sides of the tear, pressing it down firmly. If the tear is in a high-load area, you must sew the edges of the tape down to ensure it holds until you reach a sail loft.
By being proactive about chafe prevention and performing regular inspections, you can ensure your sails will safely power your catamaran across the oceans for years to come.
Kraken Sails – Engineered for the Ocean.