This section is really focussed on what you can do to clean (remove mold) from your old sails. Generally you will find mold in these old sails in areas where there are multiple layers of dacron (foot , head, leech) or where the mylar and dacron have delaminated from each other. With that said - you can find mold anywhere!

The STEPS below will not get rid of the mold completely (but should hopefully stop it growing and remove some of those black spots)

REMEMBER - even sails with a lot of black mold can be set and sailed with no problems

STEP 1: Hang your sails out in the sun (1-2 hours)

STEP 2: Spray the affected areas with white vinegar

STEP 3: Wait a couple of hours

STEP 4: Wash with water and use a sponge to rub any mold away

STEP 5: Leave to dry in the sun

 Old sails often suffer from the mylar and dacron areas de-laminating, always roll your sails from the top such that the mylar is on the outside.....in this way the mylar is constantly being pulled towards the dacron (discouraging it from separating). 

De-lamination is common on all old 80's mylar/dacron composite sails. It can vary from having bubbles between the dacron and mylar layers through to having whole sections of your sail where the mylar is separated from the dacron.

DONT THROW AWAY SAILS BECAUSE OF DE-LAMINATION.

As long as the mylar has not torn away at the stitching you can still rig and enjoy your sails just like when they were new. IF THE MYLAR HAS TORN AWAY FROM THE DACRON (TYPICALLY AROUND THE STITCHING - see picture to the left) you might still be OK. I have a  few sails where the foot panel has completely de-laminated and the mylar tore away from the dacron. I have tried every kind of stick-on, glue etc to repair but the best solution is simply CUT AWAY THE MYLAR FROM THE TORN PANEL. If the panel is a small panel like on the foot; your sail will probably still rig OK and serve you for many more years...give it a try before retiring it !

WARNING - Sometimes when you remove the mylar there will be sticky residue on the  dacron that can last for a while and collect sand. Just wash it off after use.

Rigging an old sail is not much different than rigging a new sail EXCEPT DO IT IN SMALL STAGES AND REMEMBER THESE OLD SAILS NEED OUTHAUL.

RIGGING:

STEP 1: Once the sail is on the mast apply downhaul - about 80%

STEP 2: Apply outhaul - about 90%

STEP 3: Apply more downhaul to 100 %

STEP 4: Check if you need more outhaul and apply if needed

STEP 5: Adjust battens

DE-RIGGING:

*WARNING WARNING WARNING*

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN damage your sails by causing them to delaminate

STEP 1: Release a small amount of downhaul - maybe 15% (5-8cm)

STEP 2: Release a small amount of outhaul - maybe 20% (10 cm)

Repeat STEPS 1 and 2 until the sail is clearly no longer under tension

DO NOT RELEASE TOO MUCH DOWNHAUL OR OUTHAUL IN ONE GO - On old sails where the mylar is delaminating or simply where the glue connecting the materials is 40 years old - too much tension will cause those sections (especially in the foot) to de-laminate