Charter know-how · Yacht care and maintenance
Yacht care 3: looking after sails, lines and winches
5 min read
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Torn sails and jammed furlers are among the most common, and most expensive, charter damage. Nearly all of it is avoidable with a few habits.
Furling
- Furl the headsail with a little tension on the sheet, so it rolls tightly and evenly.
- Furl on a gentle point of sail, not dead downwind or head to wind in a strong breeze.
- If the furling line is hard to pull, stop and look: something is caught. Never force it with a winch.
- In-mast mainsails: ease the outhaul as you roll it in, and keep the boom at the right angle (the base will show you).
Reefing
- Reef when you first think about it. It is easy in 15 knots and hard in 25.
- Reduce sail before a squall, before the afternoon breeze builds and before arriving in harbour.
Flogging and chafe
- A sail flapping hard (flogging) wears out quickly. Do not leave it flogging while you sort something out: sheet in or furl it.
- Look for lines rubbing on the guardrails, the shrouds or the sprayhood, and re-lead them.
- Keep the sails off the spreaders when sailing downwind.
Winches and lines
- Three or four turns on the winch, clockwise. Keep fingers clear of the drum.
- Take winch handles out when you are not using them: they go over the side easily.
- Coil and hang lines so they are ready to run, and keep them out of the water and away from the propeller.
General guidance for charter crews. Your charter company's briefing, the boat's own manuals and local rules always come first.