Sail Cleaning

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Mary Wanna
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Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 2
Sail Cleaning

I am haveing my sails cleaned. Has anybody had McLube sailcote applied to there sails and if so how did you like it.

robert rappold

BudStreet
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Joined: 9/4/09
Posts: 1127

Isn't McLube SailKote a lubricant? I use it when I put the genny up to lube the furler slot. It makes that job much easier. Never heard of it being applied to sails other than that but then again I learn something new every day.
[url]http://www.mclubemarine.com/sailkote/[/url]

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deising
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Joined: 11/3/08
Posts: 1351

Interestly, I would have agreed with Bud, but a little research on the site yields this:

TEAM MCLUBE SAIL APPLICATION GUIDE:

The benefits of coating spinnakers with Sailkote are listed below:

• Minimize water absorption to keep spinnaker as light as possible at all times
• Minimize friction when hoisting, dousing (and gybing assym) spinnakers
• Maximize resistance to tearing cloth on sharp objects
• Minimize possibility of mildew

The benefits of coating genoas with Sailkote are listed below:
• Minimize friction when tacking (overlapping genoa against mast and shrouds) this friction is the main cause of the breakdown of the genoa cloth and laminates.
• Minimize water absorption to keep genoas as light as possible at all times.
• By coating luff tape (or hanks) of sail, friction is dramatically reduced when hoisting. For maximum benefit during peel changes, be sure to coat both sides of genoa entirely.
• Maximize resistance to tearing cloth or laminate on spreader tips and sharp objects.
• Keep telltales sensitive and flying in wet conditions.

(plus much more - Duane)

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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Nimue
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Joined: 6/23/09
Posts: 429

Common practice to do this to the spinnakers on small one-design boats. Consensus seems to be it is worthwhile on stuff like 49ers where the spinnaker spends a lot of time in the water, lesson a keelboat where it is typically not dunked in the ocean. Also lots of people think it shortens the life of the sail a bit overall.

Even the Melges 32 I sail on doesn't use it, although that boat probably should. On my Catalina? Nope.

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

BudStreet
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Joined: 9/4/09
Posts: 1127

There it is, learned something new again today. I bet you would use a lot of cans of this stuff up spraying a spinnaker!

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Nimue
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Joined: 6/23/09
Posts: 429

A little squirt on the tell-tales on the genoa before it rains can be pretty helpful in keeping them working though...

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Mary Wanna
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Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 2

Thanks for the input. I think I'll nix the idea of having the sails done. Thanks All

robert rappold

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jsc4484
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Joined: 6/29/07
Posts: 138

I hope she lets us knwo the outcome of this. I would be really like to know if it works, I use ite on alot of gear aboard, but never sails.

FAIR WINDS & FOLLOWING SEAS

Jeff Costa

S/V KAIROS Hull #0235

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