Quantum Sails recently sent out a newsletter to it's subscribers with tips on safety and readiness in the off season, and preparedness for next season.
Captain Jack Klang, who I met during one of his presentations at the United States Sailboat Show two weeks ago in Annapolis, Md, tells of a boat fire that happened on the Chesapeake Bay a few years back, that started when the owners were preparing for his and a Quantum Sails salesman's arrival for an estimate on new sails.
The following is a quote from his story. "All hell broke loose at Herrington Harbor South when a 47’ fiberglass catamaran caught fire. We arrived on a cold, gray, April day and were exchanging introductions when I spotted smoke coming from the starboard hull. The owner headed down the dock to grab a large fire extinguisher from a nearby post. His wife dialed 911. I ran to the aft cockpit, where I remembered seeing a smaller extinguisher. When I returned, the main salon had already filled with thick smoke.
We had less than ten seconds to exit the boat. Within seconds of seeing the smoke, the whole interior, as well as the cabin top, burst into flames. We fought them with the extinguishers, but were quickly driven from the boat by the heat and smoke.
An extension cord had started that fire. The owners were using it for two electric, household heaters to warm up the cabin for our arrival. The excessive current draw, however, was too much for the light duty cord. It melted the insulation, exposing the glowing electric wires to the waiting fiberglass.
I learned several lessons from that tragedy. First of all, never use a household extension cord in place of a proper shore power cord. Next, fiberglass fires spread extremely rapidly and are impossible to extinguish with water alone. Most important of all, a boat can be replaced, but human life cannot. We were lucky to escape without harm."
The Newsletter also detailed some handy tips on sail storage and preparation that will prevent headaches when the new season is upon us in the spring.
Steps to take according to the newsletter, "A little extra time spent on end-of-season sail care will have you on the water faster come spring. It must have been a sail maker who came up with the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine….”
1. Clean and Inspect Sails
At a minimum, rinse sails and lines with fresh water. If you have the room, give them a more thorough washing with a sail cleaner. Be sure to avoid harsh detergents, solvents, and strong chemicals. Only use products with a neutral pH. Do not scrub sails with a stiff brush or anything abrasive. This is a good time to inspect sails for any tears, loose stitching, worn cloth, broken hardware, or other damage that should be repaired.
2. Repair, Recut, Replace Sails
Off-season is a good time to have sails repaired, recut, altered, or replaced. If you are even remotely considering sail replacement, NOW is the time to get the measurements off your boat. Once the mast is unstepped and boat covered, it’s pretty difficult to get the information needed for an accurate sail quote and construction.
3. Store Sails Properly
Sails must be thoroughly dried before storing to prevent mildew. Avoid the temptation to spread sails on the lawn where moisture and warm sunlight cause moisture to collect on the sailcloth. Hang sails or spread on an interior floor. Find another person to help fold (flake) the sails properly for long-term storage.
Sails with plastic windows need special attention; plan folds so windows lie flat. In cold weather, the plastic becomes stiff and possibly brittle, increasing the chance that a crease will split when unfolded in the spring. A small amount of talcum powder sprinkled on windows will prevent them from sticking to the sail while folded.
Mice can do serious damage to sails. Lessen the chance of rodents getting into the sail bag by suspending it from a rafter or overhead hook. Or place a few mothballs inside a mesh bag and place inside the sail bag."
Personally, I would add a few tips as well, speaking of mice, be sure to store any inflatable rafts or dinghy's away from places where mice can get to them. When trying to inflate my old Avon last spring, I couldn't figure out why the one tube kept collapsing, when I saw a nice hole chewed through the wall. When I inspected my storage area in my shed, I realized that there was plenty of "Evidence" of mice all around, and I should have known better.
Also, keep your batteries topped off, whether you store them on the boat, or bring them home for the winter, it will keep them from losing charge and wearing out early. Be careful when transporting them, keep them in some sort of battery box or platform, and don't overcharge them by leaving the charger on overnight or for long periods of time unattended.
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