When I bought “Essence" a 30’ 324 she was in Oklahoma. I had her trucked to Rhode Island. The trucker got it all road ready (included in the cost of trucking it.) Boom was on fenders on the deck. Mast on trailer down low. The sail is a beast especially with the stackback cover and it’s assorted parts. Took 2 people to wrestle it out of the cabin and behind it was the old sail. So had to do it again. She arrived in excellent shape with the best of care.
For winter storage I remove the sail and tie it to the deck rail and stanchions. Shrink-wrapping goes over the stanchions and all is dry and toasty for the winter.
Debbie
“Essence” NS324
Wickford, RI
The trucker got it all ready? You mean securing the boom, removing biminis and dodgers and all that? That’s a lot of work. Do you remember who it was? So far all of the boat trucking websites I’ve visited have been pretty emphatic that we have to prep our own boats (or pay the yard to do it.)
Yes Brian, I used Richard brancanovich from South Carolina 803-732-7424
Very nice guy
Debbie Sabo
Essence nc324
Wickford,ri
Hi All,
Seems we have quite the varying weights for our sails, even from the same size Nonsuches… My sail (for a 30), without the battens or StackPack when I sent it via FedEx several years ago to be cleaned) weighed approximately 65lbs. The sail fabric is standard, though I do not know the actual fabric weight. I have just ordered a new sail so we will see if this new one is heavier or lighter.
As far as removing and bagging the sail by yourself, it isn’t too difficult, though you need to take your time, and it also depends on your personal physical ability. Obviously doing it with 2 people is much easier.
Being at a dock has its advantages, such as sail removal. As does having a StackPack (though a conventional cover used to work fine). After removing the sail from the track and detaching it from the cradle lines, I wrestle it off the coach top and over to the dockside life-line.
I have already snugged the boat up to the dock to hopefully prevent the sail from hitting the water!
Lift the luff end over the life-line at the hull’s point tightest to the dock and lower/drop it to the dock. The rest of the sail wants to follow and is easily guided over the life-line. Again, make sure the boat is tight to the dock for this procedure!!
Once all is on the dock, I wrestle it into a dock cart and take it up to an open spot on the lawn adjacent to the docks. I have folded it on the dock, and even on the boat once, but had a second set of hands helping in those situations. After checking the lawn area for goose and dog droppings, I lay out the sail and flake it from the foot up. Then once flaked, roll it, and get the sail bag over one end, then stand the sail up into the bag.
Here is a link to a GoPro video I posted about 3 years ago of the flaking and bagging.
https://gopro.com/v/Jbv55Wod13wpn
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Jersey City, NJ
Peter
Thanks for the video. This year I took the sail down while the boat was at the mooring for the first time. I just stuffed into the sail bag and took it home. Once all the leaves are of the lawn. I’ll fold it it as your video shows.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long island
Peter,
I watched and enjoyed your video of the proper treatment of a valued sail in a a proper environment.
I envy your stamina.
As for me I would call upon a friend, and if I couldn’t find one nearby I would make one in a hurry.
Good timing with this post.
Brian
Boat-less in New England
We had Andrews truck our boat twice. The driver will wrap the mast and secure it and will check the boat for loose objects . We did all that work ourselves and it took a morning. But he climbed up and made sure he was ok with our work. Same fellow been doing the trans continental trucking for 30 years !!
Also make sure everything inside is secure.
Hi Mike,
Glad you found the video useful. Once or twice I have done what you did while on the mooring… has to be a very calm day to do that!
Peter
Hi Brian,
Thank you.
Yesterday, I had ‘The Last Mate’ to help… makes it easier! Here are 3 short videos of that process (sorry about the brief interruption from the neighbor about the dockcart - I haven’t figured out how to edit the videos very well, so I just left it in…)
https://gopro.com/v/7a04KMRmEW2QN
https://gopro.com/v/nrbpzKORdKB6E
https://gopro.com/v/lrmpDMrXy0W1m
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Jersey City, NJ
Peter,
Thanks for posting.
You and the ‘last mate’ make it look easy.
Brian
Boat-less in New England
Yes a calm day is a must. While at the mooring I can pick the day instead of feeling the pressure of the boatyard to get off the dock as they are busy pulling boats. A bonus is when you get at an unusual 70 degree F day in November.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
Peter - I realize you are planning on replacing your sail due to rips, but I noted in your earlier posted video (the one where you are walking fast - and I thought they walked fast in New York City - you New Jersey folks are much faster), but in neither video did I see you inspect the sail - get down on your hands and knees and crawl over the sail looking for problems.
I would recommend to all that they or someone they trust do such and then flip the sail over and do the same on the other side. Often there are broken/worn stitches seen on one side of the sail only. While crawling the sail, have some blue tape readily at hand to tag spots that need to be addressed (and note the necessary repair on some paper), maybe some sail repair tape to patch very minor holes immediately, and possibly a palm, needle and thread to address any slugs that need to be reattached. If repairs are needed by a sailmaker, they will appreciate that you have taken the step of marking spots that need repair. Do the repairs when they are little and you might not be buying a new sail as soon. Personally, sail tape is worthless for long term repairs of any size - it gets you through the weekend and then take the sail in for a proper repair before it cannot be repaired.
lloyd herman
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington, NY