The sun's UV rays are relentless, breaking down the fibers and stitching in your sails over time. Without proper protection, even a short period of exposure can lead to weakening or discoloration.
The sun's UV rays steadily break down the fibers and stitching in your sails over time. Without proper protection, even brief exposure can cause weakening or discoloration. To combat this, UV covers and properly fitted sail covers act as a shield, absorbing these rays and preserving the integrity of your sails. Investing in high-quality UV protective materials, such as Sunbrella fabric, can make a significant difference. These materials are engineered to absorb and deflect UV rays, providing an additional layer of protection for your sails. UV covers are particularly effective on furled headsails and exposed areas of mainsails, such as heads or clews, that may protrude when furled.
"Key elements of effective protection by your sail cover and other accessory covers on your boat include the cover's fit and suitability," explains Alan Woodyard, Loft Service Manager at Quantum Sails Gulf Coast. "Be aware that UV rays also reflect off the boat's deck and the water, so mainsail covers must protect the sail from the underside almost as effectively as they protect the sail from the direct sunlight overhead."
Canvas Protection Options
Sail Covers:
As soon as you're done sailing, cover your sails. For mainsails, options like sail packs or the horse-blanket style are popular. It's important to ensure the cover is sized and fitted correctly, covering the entire sail.
UV Covers for Furled Sails:
If your headsail lives on a furler, consider a UV cover made of durable, sacrificial fabric (such as Sunbrella). These strips of material are sewn onto the sail's exposed edges to absorb UV rays. Jib socks are another great option, especially if your headsail will stay up for extended periods.
Long-Term Considerations:
If you're going to be off of your boat for an extended period — a month or longer, suggests Woodyard — take the sails down and store them either below or in a cool, dry place ashore. Yes, it can be difficult to take the sails on and off, but the cost-benefit here is clear when it comes to the risks of UV damage.
Proper Use and Maintenance: Maximizing Protection
Even the best protection measures can fail if not used or maintained correctly. These factors include the proper cloth selection as well as reinforcement where needed. "For headsail socks, a cloth such as WeatherMax may provide better durability through chafe caused by minor flapping while in use on the forestay," says Woodyard. "For mainsail covers, both ends of the cover are susceptible to chafing due to hardware and even the folds of the sail itself, these are areas where it can be important to add reinforcement patches to protect the cover from being prematurely damaged by winches, outhaul cars, cleats, and other pointed or sharp edges." Here's how to ensure your sail covers and UV protection remain effective:
Proper Fit
Ill-fitting covers can leave gaps where UV rays can penetrate, leading to unexpected damage. Ensure that your covers are tailored to the size and shape of your sails, providing complete coverage without any exposed strips. "Avoid large openings or gaps even in the underside of the sail cover since reflected UV exposure will be slower to affect the sail but just as relentless," says Woodyard.
Correct Installation
Improper installation of sail covers, especially on furling systems, can render UV protection ineffective. Furling the headsail incorrectly can prevent the UV cover from functioning as intended. If you're unsure about the correct installation, seek professional assistance. Many service teams offer inspections to verify that your covers are properly fitted and installed.
Regular Maintenance
Maintaining your sails and covers is crucial for long-term protection. Regular inspections, ideally on an annual basis, can help identify early signs of UV damage before they become severe. Professional inspections are invaluable, as trained experts can detect subtle issues that might be overlooked by the untrained eye.
Durability of UV Covers
While UV covers are more resistant to damage, they are not impervious. High-quality covers can last between four to eight seasons with proper care. Pay special attention to the stitching, as this is often the first area to show signs of wear. Re-sewing any weakened seams promptly can prevent further deterioration and extend the life of your covers. "Many sails that reach catastrophic failure could have had their life extended significantly by a new UV cover 3-5 years prior to the failure," says Woodyard. "We can help you identify these candidates where the sail is in quite good shape but the UV cover is deteriorated to a point which is endangering the precious sail cloth below."
Beyond Sails: Protecting All Canvas Components
Canvas protection isn't limited to sails alone. Other canvas elements on your boat, such as dodgers, tiller covers, rigging, lines, and window panels on enclosures, also benefit from UV protection. "By maintaining all canvas parts, you ensure comprehensive protection for your vessel, enhancing its longevity and performance. Covers for accessories, varnished areas, electronics — especially screens and their covers — and other plastics can be worth much more than their weight in gold," says Woodyard. "Properly-fitted covers with reinforcements where needed can be made for just about any part of your boat, once your sails are protected your local loft can help you with these needs as well, providing easy-to-use and easy-to-stow protection for whatever you would like to protect on your boat."
Invest in Protection for Peace of Mind
Protecting your canvas gear is not just about preserving the appearance of your sails; it's a critical investment in the longevity and safety of your sailing equipment. By implementing effective UV prevention strategies, ensuring proper use and maintenance of covers, and conducting regular inspections, you can safeguard your sails against the relentless effects of UV radiation. Don't wait for unexpected damage to strike—take proactive steps today to protect your sails and enjoy many more seasons on the water with confidence. "Your local loft would be more than happy to schedule a service call during which we could remove sails after a weekend of use or re-install them before an upcoming cruise," says Woodyard. "Sails are just about the only part of your rig that can be easily removed and stored out of the sun, we'll be happy to do the heavy lifting to help you protect your investment."