Strengthening Your Marine Fabrics when it comes to Hot and Cold Weather

We had an unusually moist Miami Watercraft Show a few weeks ago, that provided us an opportunity to take a look at a little something we haven't paid much attention to in a couple of years: water-proofing coatings for fabrics. Textile technology has discovered some significant new developments since our last complete examination of waterproof coatings. Chemical substance engineers have indeed found brand new ways to impregnate fibers with coatings that can last through dozens of wash cycles.

Despite all the advancements in material technology, we've yet to discover a waterproof, breathable component that doesn't call for some upkeep with time-- and ultimately breaks down. In Miami, during on-the-water testing of foul-weather gear we initially reported on in 2008, we could clearly see how sunlight, washing, and regular use took their toll on water-repellency in even our favorite foul-weather gear. hile, the water beaded like pearls on some of the lower-rated jackets that had spent most their time in the locker.

We've covered the subject of marine fabrics-- from clothing to dodgers to sails-- from a number of various angles over the years, most recently with a look at products such as Sunbrella, used in sail covers and dodgers.

Also, customers can dig a little deeper with our newest fabric test, Sunbrella vs. Weathermax, as well as our examination into affordable cordage treatments. Customers can likewise access all of our foul-weather equipment tests-- men's and women's-- from 2008.

Practical Sailor will certainly be actually updating our test of water-proofing sprays for clothing and for boat fabrics, and I 'd love to hear from readers what products they have actually found useful.

1. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR SAIL OUT OF THE SUNLIGHT WHENEVER NOT IN USE.
Your marine toilet suppliers talk about how in the event that you have furling systems, this may be simply a matter of furling sails when not being used. For non-furling sails, this means covering or storing sails. There certainly are cover options for both mainsails and headsails, allowing the sail to stay rigged and safeguarded in between uses.

2. SUN COVERS: SEWN-ON PROTECTION.
Covers are so important we thought they warrented their own section. The majority of owners make use of sewn-on sun covers to protect furled sails. Sunbrella and WeatherMax are the fabrics typically used for sun covers. For racer-cruisers and some racing sails like furling code zeros, there are less heavy weight choices such as UV-treated Dacron ®. While there is a gain in weight savings, these materials are not naturally UV resistant.

In order to offer maximum security for your sails, sun covers require care and upkeep. Remember, if you can view the sailcloth below the cover ... so can the sun!

3. PRESERVE SAIL SHAPE WITH A RECUT.
As sails and marine fittings grow older, they stretch and lose their shape. Reduction of shape makes things more difficult to steer and point, not to mention harder to control heel. The best way to track changes in shape and in your marine sanitation devices is to take some photos of your sails every year while you're out sailing. These could be shared periodically with a Quantum sailmaker who will analyze the change in shape and suggest the very best course of action.

Check us out here at Raritan Engineering and see how we are your #1 expert in marine sanitation supplies.

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