I've just purchased a CD33 sloop and am in the prodess of cleaning her up, etc. The running rigging and sails need a good bath. I heard once that lines can be washed in a big tub but that you should use specific cleaners so that you don't harm the interior structure of the rope. Something about a lubricant within the structure of the ropes that you don't want to wash away. Anybody have any ideas?
rdtec@aol.com
Washing running rigging
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Dana
Re: Washing running rigging
___________________________________________________________________Ryan T wrote: I've just purchased a CD33 sloop and am in the prodess of cleaning her up, etc. The running rigging and sails need a good bath. I heard once that lines can be washed in a big tub but that you should use specific cleaners so that you don't harm the interior structure of the rope. Something about a lubricant within the structure of the ropes that you don't want to wash away. Anybody have any ideas?
Ryan,
Hold on to your hat....I wash all my running rigging every year. I also have the original dock lines from my 81 boat. I just use my Maytag without much objection from my wife. Tide and sometimes bleach. Dirt, etc. is also not very good for the lines.
For the Brave only......I also soak my sails every 2-3 years. I can handle up to about 200 sq ft in the bathtub. Also known to use the city trash barrel after it has be cleaned out. Yes, I use bleach and a very good rinse. My main is now 14 years old and looks like new, the furling sail is about the same age but shows a bit more wear because it hangs out on the forestay for most of the year. The sail wash is more of a multi-hour gentle soak with occasional turn over.
Boy....am I going to get the comments now! By the way, I have recieved very good comments on the results from those I recommended this too.
Dana
darenius@aol.com
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Ed Roberts
Re: Washing running rigging
Hi Ryan,
There is some great material on the care of sails at
http://www.capecod.net/sqtg/index.html
in the Sail Owner's Guide. I have seen the advice that the agitator in a top-loading washing machine can destroy a sail in moments. Use the front-loaded type usually found in laudromats that merely tumble the sail.
Good luck!
edwardroberts@sprintmail.com
There is some great material on the care of sails at
http://www.capecod.net/sqtg/index.html
in the Sail Owner's Guide. I have seen the advice that the agitator in a top-loading washing machine can destroy a sail in moments. Use the front-loaded type usually found in laudromats that merely tumble the sail.
Good luck!
edwardroberts@sprintmail.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Washing running rigging
Ryan,
I agree with Dana, the only thing I wouldn't do is use a chlorine bleach. It can yellow nylon and maybe some other rope materials. When we bought Hanalei this spring, I took all running rigging home and into the regular washing machine it went. The Tide with Bleach product contains an Oxygen bleach, so yellowing is not a problem. I would use it on the sails too, but use a tumble washer (big one) at the local laundromat. I probably would not use the drier, hang it outside to dry (running rigging can go into the dryer).
I agree with Dana, the only thing I wouldn't do is use a chlorine bleach. It can yellow nylon and maybe some other rope materials. When we bought Hanalei this spring, I took all running rigging home and into the regular washing machine it went. The Tide with Bleach product contains an Oxygen bleach, so yellowing is not a problem. I would use it on the sails too, but use a tumble washer (big one) at the local laundromat. I probably would not use the drier, hang it outside to dry (running rigging can go into the dryer).
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Bill
Re: Washing running rigging
Ryan, et al..
I will need to clean my sails after this season as well. The jib and maybe the main will fit in a washer, but how about the 150% gennie? Will it fit in a tub or washer?
Bill
S/V Rhapsody
willie@clnk.com
I will need to clean my sails after this season as well. The jib and maybe the main will fit in a washer, but how about the 150% gennie? Will it fit in a tub or washer?
Bill
S/V Rhapsody
Dana wrote:___________________________________________________________________Ryan T wrote: I've just purchased a CD33 sloop and am in the prodess of cleaning her up, etc. The running rigging and sails need a good bath. I heard once that lines can be washed in a big tub but that you should use specific cleaners so that you don't harm the interior structure of the rope. Something about a lubricant within the structure of the ropes that you don't want to wash away. Anybody have any ideas?
Ryan,
Hold on to your hat....I wash all my running rigging every year. I also have the original dock lines from my 81 boat. I just use my Maytag without much objection from my wife. Tide and sometimes bleach. Dirt, etc. is also not very good for the lines.
For the Brave only......I also soak my sails every 2-3 years. I can handle up to about 200 sq ft in the bathtub. Also known to use the city trash barrel after it has be cleaned out. Yes, I use bleach and a very good rinse. My main is now 14 years old and looks like new, the furling sail is about the same age but shows a bit more wear because it hangs out on the forestay for most of the year. The sail wash is more of a multi-hour gentle soak with occasional turn over.
Boy....am I going to get the comments now! By the way, I have recieved very good comments on the results from those I recommended this too.
Dana
willie@clnk.com
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Don Sargeant
Re: Washing running rigging
Here's my opinion... Washing, particularly with agitation, will break down the tightness of the dacron weave and soften the sail. Of course old sails are probably broken down pretty much any way, but the result is that the sail becomes porous and less powerful. I even flake my sails on the boom, and fold them -- not stuff them -- into their bags for winter storage. Many years ago I had a suit washed by a professional laundry who specialized in sails and they came out soft like bedsheets, cost a lot of money and didn't work worth a darn afterwards. Soaking with a little brushing where needed sounds like a reasonable alternative. I would NOT use chlorine bleach on dacron.
don@cliggott.com
Bill wrote: Ryan, et al..
I will need to clean my sails after this season as well. The jib and maybe the main will fit in a washer, but how about the 150% gennie? Will it fit in a tub or washer?
Bill
S/V Rhapsody
Dana wrote:___________________________________________________________________Ryan T wrote: I've just purchased a CD33 sloop and am in the prodess of cleaning her up, etc. The running rigging and sails need a good bath. I heard once that lines can be washed in a big tub but that you should use specific cleaners so that you don't harm the interior structure of the rope. Something about a lubricant within the structure of the ropes that you don't want to wash away. Anybody have any ideas?
Ryan,
Hold on to your hat....I wash all my running rigging every year. I also have the original dock lines from my 81 boat. I just use my Maytag without much objection from my wife. Tide and sometimes bleach. Dirt, etc. is also not very good for the lines.
For the Brave only......I also soak my sails every 2-3 years. I can handle up to about 200 sq ft in the bathtub. Also known to use the city trash barrel after it has be cleaned out. Yes, I use bleach and a very good rinse. My main is now 14 years old and looks like new, the furling sail is about the same age but shows a bit more wear because it hangs out on the forestay for most of the year. The sail wash is more of a multi-hour gentle soak with occasional turn over.
Boy....am I going to get the comments now! By the way, I have recieved very good comments on the results from those I recommended this too.
Dana
don@cliggott.com
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Catherine Monaghan
Re: Washing running rigging
Ryan,
I wash all of my running rigging every year. I loosely coil each line and place a single line in a lingerie bag. (I have several lingerie bags, so I can wash several lines at once. The bag helps to keep the lines from getting tangled.) The bags then go into the washing machine! I wash them in cold water using the gentle cycle and also add bleach to take care of any mildew. You can also use fabric softener if your lines are stiff. If you're lucky enough to have a drying rack for your dryer you can flake each washed line on the rack and dry them most of the way in the dryer using a low setting. Then take them out and hang them up to dry flaked on drip dry hangers. This method has worked great for me.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
I wash all of my running rigging every year. I loosely coil each line and place a single line in a lingerie bag. (I have several lingerie bags, so I can wash several lines at once. The bag helps to keep the lines from getting tangled.) The bags then go into the washing machine! I wash them in cold water using the gentle cycle and also add bleach to take care of any mildew. You can also use fabric softener if your lines are stiff. If you're lucky enough to have a drying rack for your dryer you can flake each washed line on the rack and dry them most of the way in the dryer using a low setting. Then take them out and hang them up to dry flaked on drip dry hangers. This method has worked great for me.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay
Ryan T wrote: I've just purchased a CD33 sloop and am in the prodess of cleaning her up, etc. The running rigging and sails need a good bath. I heard once that lines can be washed in a big tub but that you should use specific cleaners so that you don't harm the interior structure of the rope. Something about a lubricant within the structure of the ropes that you don't want to wash away. Anybody have any ideas?
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
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Dana
Re: Washing running rigging
Bill,
I recommend a gentle soak....not a washing machine, turn over occasionally. Soap and Non-chlorine bleach is great. I use the tub and a big plastic bag after to get the sail outside for drying.
Dana
darenius@aol.com
I recommend a gentle soak....not a washing machine, turn over occasionally. Soap and Non-chlorine bleach is great. I use the tub and a big plastic bag after to get the sail outside for drying.
Dana
Bill wrote: Ryan, et al..
I will need to clean my sails after this season as well. The jib and maybe the main will fit in a washer, but how about the 150% gennie? Will it fit in a tub or washer?
Bill
S/V Rhapsody
Dana wrote:___________________________________________________________________Ryan T wrote: I've just purchased a CD33 sloop and am in the prodess of cleaning her up, etc. The running rigging and sails need a good bath. I heard once that lines can be washed in a big tub but that you should use specific cleaners so that you don't harm the interior structure of the rope. Something about a lubricant within the structure of the ropes that you don't want to wash away. Anybody have any ideas?
Ryan,
Hold on to your hat....I wash all my running rigging every year. I also have the original dock lines from my 81 boat. I just use my Maytag without much objection from my wife. Tide and sometimes bleach. Dirt, etc. is also not very good for the lines.
For the Brave only......I also soak my sails every 2-3 years. I can handle up to about 200 sq ft in the bathtub. Also known to use the city trash barrel after it has be cleaned out. Yes, I use bleach and a very good rinse. My main is now 14 years old and looks like new, the furling sail is about the same age but shows a bit more wear because it hangs out on the forestay for most of the year. The sail wash is more of a multi-hour gentle soak with occasional turn over.
Boy....am I going to get the comments now! By the way, I have recieved very good comments on the results from those I recommended this too.
Dana
darenius@aol.com