You should be able to have UV protection sewed onto your present sail. I'd for sure do it if the boat is out with the mast up all of the time.
We are making a new dodger/bimini for our new boat and changing the colors from brown to ocean blue, so now the color of the present UV protection on the headsail won't match. We are going to probably try changing it ourselves as we have a Sailrite sewing machine, but if that doesn't go good we will send it to a sailmaker and have him do it. I got a quote and it wasn't that much, way cheaper than having to buy a new sail.
I live in SW Florida and have a UV protection tape for the headsail. I also cut a 16 inch wide strip of a old sail and folded it in half and sewed it, this goes over the rollerfuller and headsail while mast is down to give it more UV protection.
The 8 inch strip when folded will go halfway around the mast and sail but will also allow air underneith for air movement to prevent mold.
This Sail protective I would do in your case, also will keep sail clean.
Dave
kurz wrote:Hallo
I enjoy my new living in central Europe/Switzerland.
The sails unfortunately are NOT uv-protected. specially the Genoa has no protection.
How long will it take until uv-rais will destroy the genoa? Is to say, that I live not in tropic latitude.
DaveB wrote:I live in SW Florida and have a UV protection tape for the headsail. I also cut a 16 inch wide strip of a old sail and folded it in half and sewed it, this goes over the rollerfuller and headsail while mast is down to give it more UV protection.
The 8 inch strip when folded will go halfway around the mast and sail but will also allow air underneith for air movement to prevent mold.
This Sail protective I would do in your case, also will keep sail clean.
Dave
Good idea .
We wrapped strips of some...
...cheap tarp around the furler and the boom/main/sailpack when we were towing the 2200 miles down to FL to help keep road grime off, but I was too lazy to do it going home . The headsail seemed pretty clean when we got home and we had the boom/main in the cabin, but I'll try and cover it on future long trips. At home the furler and sail is stored wrapped up high in the shop along with the main/boom.
I use a cover on my genoa. When I am actively using the boat its uncovered but when I put it away for the winter, or for travelling the cover goes on. Takes about 3 minutes to put it on or take it off.
I can use it on any headsail and it will outlast pretty much every head sail I will use.
It also keeps the sail lighter for light winds.
I live in canada but we still get sunlight in the summer here.
DaveB wrote:I live in SW Florida and have a UV protection tape for the headsail. I also cut a 16 inch wide strip of a old sail and folded it in half and sewed it, this goes over the rollerfuller and headsail while mast is down to give it more UV protection.
The 8 inch strip when folded will go halfway around the mast and sail but will also allow air underneith for air movement to prevent mold.
This Sail protective I would do in your case, also will keep sail clean.
Dave
Dave--I like the idea of UV protective tape rather than a sewn-on cover for my 150 roller furling genoa. What is it and where do I find it? Can I literally just apply it along one side of the leech of the headsail and be done?
UV and Dacron(tm) (or whatever you call that cloth) don't mix. I'd cover it. In fact, I'm paranoid enough to cover mine after 2 days of sunlight. Probably too much, but I know sun can wreak havoc on this cloth. Cover it up and don't worry.
I have a "sock" that covers my jib. It's a PITA to use and this year I'm having subrella sewn on to protect it.
living in central Europe/Switzerland.
. The headsail seemed pretty clean when we got home and we had the boom/main in the cabin, but I'll try and cover it on future long trips. At home the furler and sail is stored wrapped up high in the shop along with the main/boom. 
