Your sail material is exposed to a lot of elements which includes the sun, saltwater and high humidity. Ullman Sails would like to give you a couple of sail care tips on how to prevent and fix the damage that can be caused by these elements.

UV damage to your sails:

UV damage to the stitching.

UV damage: The sun burned the sail that is why one side is darker than the other.

Because of the UV damage, the sail started to rip.

Every sailor knows that the same ultraviolet rays that damage your skin can also damage your sails. Some areas on the sail get more exposure to the sun than others. The stitching is usually first to go because it deteriorates faster than anything else on your sails. Which means if you can scrape the thread with your thumb then it is definitely time to get your sail re-stitched.

It also depends on how much time your boat spends on the water and where you live. If you spend a lot of your time out on the water your sails will need to be checked more often to prevent UV damage. REMEMBER: The sun is your sails number one enemy.

UV damage doesn’t just weaken your sails it also affects your sail’s colour. Warmer colours like reds etc. fade much faster than cool colours like blues.

UV damage prevention and sail care:

1. Keep your sails out of the sun when you aren’t using them.

2. If you are using a sun cover it should also be checked regularly and if damaged should be repaired as soon as possible before your sails get affected.

3. If you aren’t using a sun cover fold up your sails and put them away in its bag. The bag your new sail comes in is there for a reason. If it is damaged, contact your nearest Ullman Sails loft and order a new one.

4. If using a furling sail, ensure your sails are rolled in properly behind the UV strip and the UV strip is in good nick.

What to do if there is UV damage on your sails:

1. We can’t stress this enough – your sails need to be inspected as often as possible and if there is UV damage. Repair it as soon as possible because a small problem now can be a huge problem later.

2. Like your sails, you need to keep an eye on your sun covers especially if they are a couple of seasons old. If you don’t look after your sun covers your sails will pay the price and it costs a lot more to replace a sail than it does to replace a sun cover.

Mildew on your sails:

Mildew is seen between the sail material. 

We know that mildew is a fungus so the place it grows the best is in damp conditions. It doesn’t cause structural damage or affect the sails performance; it just looks ugly on your beautiful sail. If you live in a hot, humid area your sail is a definite candidate for mildew. Saltwater dampness dries slower than fresh water dampness so it causes mildew much faster. If the area you live in has a lot of air pollution it can also cause mildew.

Mildew prevention and sail care:

1. If your sail was exposed to salt water, it should be rinsed with fresh water as soon as possible and left out to dry properly.

2. You have to air out your sails as often as possible, especially if it has rained.

3. When packing away your sails don’t do it if they are damp or have salt water on them as it could cause mildew and damage your sails. Store them in a dry place.

4. If you don’t use your boat for more than two weeks, take your sails off and store them to prevent damage.

What to do when there is mildew on your sails:

1. If mildew occurs, it can be cleaned with diluted bleach and soaking it helps a lot more than scrubbing ever will, but if the mildew finds its way in between the layers of fabric your sails need to be sent in for industrial cleaning.

2. If you used bleach be sure to rinse your sail thoroughly with plenty of fresh water. If you don’t it can cause long term structural damage.

3. Mildew should be treated at the earliest opportunity because it is much easier to clean when it is new.

4. When a sail has mildew on it the infected sail should be quarantined from the clean sails to prevent it from spreading.

Replacing a sail is very expensive so be sure to catch these problems in their infancy, the longer you leave it the worse it will get. So, make sure to inspect your sails as often as possible and if something needs to be repaired take it down to your nearest Ullman Sails loft and they will fix your problem and you won’t have to worry. Your sails matter to you and to us so the better they are looked after, the happier you will be and the longer their lifespan will be. Sail care is extremely important.