Newbie needs saltwater advice

I capsized my 1983 H16 yesterday in the saltwater Mission bay.

When I retuned home I washed everything down with fresh water except the main sail. I just do not have the room. I took the mainsail out of the sail bag to let it completely dry.

Should the sails be washed down or am I just paranoid?

I will be at a local lake next weekend - I can dunk it there if need be.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

You need to wash down your sails and rigging when you get your boat home. Raise the sails and give them a good rinse and let the sails dry in the wind. It won't take long before they are dry.

I sail in salt water and sometimes the lower sail panels get sprayed. If you don't rinse your sails they will accumulate salt deposits and the aluminum boom and other parts may set up some corrosion.

Just check for overhead power line if you are stepping your mast in your front yard.

I still cringe every time I think about the fact that I did not check (there weren't any), the first time I practiced stepping my mast in the front yard. In residential areas, there is a much better chance they are there than on a boat ramp or beach.

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Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

Your sails will be fine for one week. If you're going to leave them for an extended time, you should probably wash them, otherwise the stainless/aluminum fittings will start to corrode (at least wash the head, tack, and clew fittings). That said, I hardly ever wash my sails and they're usually fine for several years.

I've been told that if you store your sails wet with fresh water on them, they'll mildew, but salt / brackish water won't. The actual cloth/plastic materials will not be dammaged by salt/moisture. For example, I stopped washing my windsurfing sails a long time ago (no aluminum fittings) and they're fine (some are now 10 years old).

sm

I do not wash my kite ever. After flying I roll it on the beach and bring home. Unroll in the yard, sweep the sand off and roll it up again. No problems at all.

BUT, I wash my sails every time vigorously and then let them dry completely.

Something is wrong with me.

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Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

Old sails, the damage was probably done by the last owner. New sails, rinsing them off before the sails dry will help, but do not put a wet rinsed sail away. Mildew will form.

As the sails dry with salt water, salt crystals form. Salt is abrasive and as the salt crystals form, the salt is damaging the cloth. Salt also absorbs water so this cycle keeps going on until the sail is rinsed with fresh water. Over time, this salt will make the sail cloth wear more quickly.

It's been windy here in San Diego. Did you capsize or pitchpole?