| Did you know that you should fold your mainsail, | | | | Have a partner help you. Each person should hold one |
| Genoa, or jib sailboat sails at least once every sailing | | | | corner of the foot. Reach up along the edge of the |
| season. If you sail on a racing sailboat, each sail should | | | | sail. Grab the edge and pull it down to the foot of the |
| be folded at the end of each race. This will increase | | | | sail. Now, hold the corner of the fold, reach up and |
| sail life and save you big $$$s in replacement costs. | | | | grab the edge again and pull it down over the first fold. |
| Follow these five simple learn to sail tips to success. | | | | Continue this process all the way to the head of the |
| All sails are coated with a layer of resin. Cruising boat | | | | sail. |
| sails have a softer feel--called "hand"--and use less | | | | 4. Roll the Sailboat Sail |
| resin than racing sailboat sails. This makes cruising sails | | | | With the mainsail, move to the edge with the tack. Roll |
| easier to handle, more durable, and allows you to stuff | | | | the mainsail from the tack to the clew. With a headsail, |
| them in a sail-bag while cruising. | | | | move to the edge with the clew. Roll a headsail from |
| Racing sails are much less durable. They come with a | | | | the clew to the tack. Mylar or high tech sails should be |
| heavy surface coat of resin, or use one of the high | | | | stowed flat if possible. If you don't have room and |
| tech fibers like Mylar. These stiff surface coats help | | | | need to roll them, start at the foot and roll to the head. |
| sails hold their shape better in light to moderate winds. | | | | 5. Bag with the First Attachment On Top |
| But they will break down fast if not cared for. | | | | Slide the sail into the sail-bag so that the first |
| After cruising or racing, remove the sails from your | | | | attachment point lies on top when you open the bag. In |
| boat. Follow these five steps to keep your sails in tip | | | | the mainsail, the clew should be at the top of the bag. |
| top shape: | | | | On a headsail, the tack should be at the top of the |
| 1. Remove Leech Battens | | | | bag. This makes the sailing crews job faster and |
| Before you fold a mainsail, remove traditional or full | | | | easier when they bend on sails the newt time you |
| length battens. Although you could fold these into the | | | | want to go sailing. |
| sail with care, a batten will stress the sail. | | | | Now you know five valuable sailing tips that will |
| 2. Find a Flat, Clean Surface | | | | breathe new life into your sailboat sails for many years |
| Lay the mainsail or headsail onto grass, the pier, or a | | | | to come. This will save you money and your sails |
| clean floor space. If it's windy, move the foot of the sail | | | | deliver maximum performance in power and |
| upwind. This will help control the sail as you fold it. | | | | speed--wherever in the world you choose to go sailing! |
| 3. Fold the Sail like an "Accordion" | | | | |