Sail Care, Cleaning, and Reconditioning.

[Marc]

Has anyone ever attempted to wash a sail?  Now that I have a new main the rarely used jib does'nt look as good as before.  Or are there any other suggestions?  Marc

[Captain Smollett]

I've washed the sails for my little boat (18 ft LOA) by soaking overnight in a plastic trash can with OxyClean dissolved in water.  Rinsed well with fresh water and hung to dry.

Worked great.

[CharlieJ]

That's how Laura cleaned our jib. Worked fine.

[AdriftAtSea]

Don't use any detergents... use a mild soap, oxyclean or woolite.  A detergent will help strip out the resisns that stiffen the sailcloth IIRC. 

[Tim]

The dirty devil is in the details 

I think you guys are meaning the product "Oxiclean"

A google of "Oxyclean" will get you to an air filter site

[kickingbug1]

   just wanted to pass this on to everyone. i sent my mainsail to sailcare to have it cleaned and refurbished. i got it back today and i couldn't believe how good it looked. it was as white as snow and crisp as a new one. i cant wait to get my boat on the water to see how she sails. anyway anyone thinking about going this route can rest assured that it will be a good decision. jerry and his crew are a heck of a bunch of good people. very courteous and professional.

[Pablo]

I have heard my recommendations for Sailcare.  If you don't mind, what did it cost?

[captain cajun]

I thought about having this done also, thanks for the post.  I have talk to them on the phone, seems like nice people.  The wife is thinking about getting the sail making kit, maybe new sails on the old boat.  I have been doing alot of reading on sails, to see if mine are blown out. thank again

[Oldrig]

I agree totally. I sent my soft, rust-stained working jib to Sailcare and it came back clean and stiff--like a new sail for a fraction of the cost.

My local sailmaker was kind of disparaging about them (no surprise), saying that their process was sort of like starching a shirt. But I have to disagree.

They are very easy to deal with.

--Joe

[captain cajun]

How long is the turn around on getting the sails done?

[Tim]

Depends when you send them in. I am sure you can call and find out. They get pretty busy right about now. I know the last time I sent some in it was before the first of the year and the turn around was good.

[Oldrig]

They usually offer a special rate if you send your sail in before the end of the year. I sent mine in November and got it back by March.

But call them, they are very responsive. I think it's a small operation--which is good.

--Joe

[captain cajun]

thanks for the information, will do!

[Godot]

They reconditioned my Main and Jib.  The jib I was ready to throw away.  I thought it wasn't able to be saved.  I was wrong.  They also did a lot of repair, and added a second reef point to the main (I should have had them add a third).  My memory is fuzzy; but I think all of this cost around $550 or so.

[AdriftAtSea]

They charge per sq. ft. 

[okawbow]

My Bristol 24 mainsail cost $325.00 for reconditioning, some repair and a second reef added. Turn around was about 6 weeks. Looked like new. I had them recondition and reset the bolt rope on a Santana 20 main for about $285.00 They also add tell tales. Good people.

[TexSail]

I had a good experience with them and would highly recommend them.

[captain cajun]

Now this is very interesting,  ask a question about spending money, and you all give this good advice.  Where were you people when I was younger..., ok probably not born yet. 

[kickingbug1]

 it was 75 dollars plus shipping  (about 15 for that ups) and it took six or seven weeks to get it back. they run a special in october. like the rest of you i cant wait to hit the water.

[Publius]

okay I just got some old sails, there are rust stains and slight spots of mold... best way to take care of this? and also cleaning, how do i bring them back to their whiteness?