We sail Pente on the upper Mississippi River, Lake Pepin, 75 miles SE of Minneapolis. January - February temperatures get as low as -25 to -30 F. Boat is stored on jack stands outdoors. In previous years I have always winter stored sails at home. This year am considering leaving the jib up, very tightly furled. Main sail might be stored on the boat. Jib is original to the boat (15 years old), blue sunbrella cover is in good shape. Sails had minor repairs done last winter and both are in excellent shape. I would leave multiple wraps on furled jib so it wouldn't become lose. We have never had issues with rodents getting in boat.
Any really strong reasons why not go through the effort and ritual of taking down jib and storing sails in doors? Pros: Save lots of time in the fall and in spring commissioning.
We had a two piece "skirt" wrap (zips together at the bow) made cover toe rail to waterline. Also had cover made for walk out transom. Both keep hull clean over winter and by keeping snow off walk out transom reduce incidence of moisture gel coat cracks from growing).
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
It's a great strategy for getting a new Genoa!
2000 C36 MKII 1825
Take a look around the boat yard and I bet you will not see many boats with head sails left up. Takes us about 30 min to put up and take down and folld and bag the head sail.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
Any extra windage on the boat when on stands is exaggerated because the boat can't roll to the wind force. You improve the chance of the boat being blown over. I agree with other comments about the chances of ruining the sail. It seems every winter someone leaves their's up, a storm comes and it breaks loose and shreds. If you want to do it, wrap it with line .
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
When considering the risk it costs approximately $1800 to $4000 for a new Genoa and about $100 worth of labor to take it down and put it back. While you have it down you can clean and have it repaired so there is no surprise your next season.
Consider a strong wind the sail is caught and unfurls you will be lucky if it just shreds, but what if it pulls the boat off the stands.....do you really think it was worth it?
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
I'm at Port Superior up in Bayfield, I'm pretty sure they don't allow sails up all winter, because it's a really really bad idea. I live in Saint Paul right next to the river, and the winds whipping down the river in the winter sometimes is crazy. It's a half hour job on a calm day, and can save you a lot of money. with such a nice cover and no rodent issues, just flake it nicely and lay it on the deck if you need.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
Given the response from posting at Catalina 34 & 36 associations, I took down the jib for winter storage. Glad I took your advice as the jib did need sewing in the upper 1/3 of the sunbrella. What a waste of time and frustration next sailing season if the jib had come apart on a beautiful sailing day. Thanks to all.
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina