Having seen a large number of sales covered in rust stains, salt stains, mud, blood and whatever else the rough conditions onboard a yacht can throw at is I can safely say that conventional valeting isn’t great at the best of times.
Most Yachties take off their sails assuming that by taking them to the sailmaker they will be looking after them.
Well, Yes, it probably is better than leaving them to become host to mould and mildew.
However, bear in mind that most sailmakers outsource their valeting – very few people are aware of the harmful processes which the sails undergo. Often they are soaked in bleach and then pressure washed with a cold high pressure hose.
I have some good news for you however, NovoSail came up with a new concept and some high-tech machinery that not only carefully deep cleans the sail cloth but also treats it with a waterproofing agent. They have a factory in Southampton – although the firm is part of a larger organisation with offices across Europe.
If you aren’t convinced by their website then give them a call and arrange to pop down there and see the system in action.
This is how sails should be treated.