Just got a couple of H-17s. Both sails have lots of black spots throught the sail panels.. I am rather sure that I can not do anything about the spots under the clear laminated ones however I was hoping to spiff up the other panels. Someone mentioned a professional treatment. Can not seem to find one localy in the SF area that does that. Ideas appreciated. Thx H
The only restoration I'm aware of is for straight Dacron sails, and it sounds like you have the standard H-17 mylar/taffeta laminate sails. Doubt anyone will touch those. Sail 'em 'til they explode....that's what I did with my H-16 mylar set!
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
sail care in ford city,PA does a great job with dacron but they don't touch anything else...couldn't be happier with my 30something year old original dacron sails.
coastrat
The best thing for those spots is to soak the sails in a pool over night. You won't be able to get all of the spots, but it will be an improvement. Once the taffeta delaminates from the Mylar, the sail is done. There is no restoring it.
www.sailcare.com is the place to send sails, but they won't touch the Mylar ones.
Dan Berger
Nofolk, VA - Hobie Fleet 32
Supercat 15
A Cat USA139
Not sure what the black spots are so hard to say. If they are mildew the pool should help. I had oil/tar spots on my P-16 sails. Sailcare could not get those out, but they did a heck of a job on the rest of the sails. Blue, yellow and orange panels look like new.
Hope to try the Pool treatment soon. How long to soak it??
I soaked a mylar sail over night and it made a big difference. I used a friend's pool and had him 'shock' it right before I put the sail in. His pump was so strong that it actually moved the sail through the pool like it was swimming! Cool thing to watch, for sure.
Take the battens out.
Dan Berger
Nofolk, VA - Hobie Fleet 32
Supercat 15
A Cat USA139