Another '71 Venture 22

[PNKFLOYD]

Old boat, old man, new attitude!

In the early "70s, I "sailed" a foam 12' SUNFISH wannabe with a Lateen rigged sail on the lakes of central Alabama.
Now, 40 something years later, I still remember the sound of the waves slapping the hull as I quietly cruise across the water.
I want to share that sound with my three pre-teen grandsons as I did with my twin daughters so many years ago.

i deteremined the 22" sailboat was the right size for me and I lurked on this forum to see if a Venture was a reasonable solution to my wants.

Thanks to your openness and freindly responses, I saw other newbees get answers to many of the questions I had. Thank you for allowing me to join you now as a sailboat owner. She will need some TLC, paint and patience, but I am willing to make it a labor of love.

This question may be answered in "SAILING FOR DUMMIES!", but I'll ask anyhow.
Can you throw the sails in the washer to clean them?
Mike

[kmclemore]

Welcome! Great to have you aboard, Mike, and good luck with your 'new' boat.

This question may be answered in "SAILING FOR DUMMIES!", but I'll ask anyhow.
Can you throw the sails in the washer to clean them?
Mike

No, you can't toss them in the washer, but if they are in basically good shape you can take them out onto the lawn and shampoo them yourself with a mild solution of Woolite and cool water. Do *not* add any bleach, as it will degrade the fabric.

If the sails aren't refreshed enough by this method, or if there is significant damage to the sails, I highly recommend 'SailCare' - restoring sails is their key business and they do it beautifully. I had my Harpoon sails restored many years ago and they did a splendid job, including restoring the logo. It's hard to believe that the sails on the boat below were made in 1977, over 35 years ago!


(And yes, my sail number really is just "1". That's how they came from new - I think mine might be the first supplied with North sails.)

[PNKFLOYD]

Thank you for the excellant reply and warm welcome.

I'll have to wait until the weather drys out for a couple days in a row to lay out the sails.
i do know they are dirty from being being thrown around inside the hull, but I did not look close enough to see if there was any damage.

I checked out your link. Looks like they do a little more than wash the sails in a big washer with a cup of TIDE. I'll try the home remedy first and plan to get professional help next fall.
Mike

[Sailing Virginia]

Welcome from another "new comer." Your right great site with a lot of knowledge.

Chris

[PNKFLOYD]

Chris- Keep the pictures coming of your boat.
You are doing a great restoration and I'm learning a lot from you.

I sure appreciate the friendly welcome from here!
Mike

[Catigale]

Mike ...make sure you dry your sails on THE WALL....

I sure appreciate the friendly welcome from here!

You are welcome. Now' sod off......

[PNKFLOYD]

Good idea!
Right now, I have the sails stored on THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.

Okay! I promise, no more PINK FLOYD bad puns.

Mike

[Freedom77]

Hey Floyd! Glad to hear of your new acquisiton. We owned a 71 V-222, Penny Sue Too, for five years. Loved her. As far as cleaning the sails. Lay out on a clean lawn and spot clean the real dirty spots with a soft bruch and Dove liquid and rinse off, then... Do you or a friend have a swimming pool. If so get a couple/three kids, put the sails in the shallow end and have them jump up and down on them and them let soak for a while. The clorine will brighten them up. pretty much a giant washing machine. Then hoist them on the mast and rinse with a garden hose. Did this a few times with ours. Works great. By the way if you are in close quarters in the marina stay away from "THE WALL"! Ugh... Is it true if you play the wall and watch the Wizard of Oz at the same time the music will match the movie? I suppose it depends on the pharmacutical your on Fair Winds and Full Sails...Old Salt