sjpaq wrote:
I'm shocked that I can't leave the cat in the water for the summer.
No one here said that you “can’t” leave your boat in the water. However everyone advised that it is not a good idea to do so. Certainly others have done this, but in the long run, it will cause damage your boat. The hulls will absorb water and the rigging will take a beating from constant motion.
Quote:
The challenge with hoisting the sail each time is that it is a 2 person job and I hate asking for help all the time. But I do understand about the effects of sun, rain, wind 24/7 on a fully exposed sail.
With proper technique, preparation, and some practice, raising the sails can be done solo. With poor technique, it can be difficult, even with two people.
Leaving the sails up 24/7 is a bad idea not just because of the environmental degradation on the sails themselves, but because one errant gust could easily cause the boat to become “powered up” causing damage to you boat or anything else near it. It would essentially be like leaving your car sitting in the driveway 24/7 with the engine running and the transmission in gear.
sm