User Manual

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ONESAILS

USER MANUAL

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WARRANTY*

SAILS DELIVERY LABELS

LOFT

SAIL 1

SAIL 4

SAIL 2

SAIL 3

SAIL 5

SAIL 6

* Warranty terms and conditions are on the www.onesails.com website.


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ONESAILS

THE NEXT GENERATION OF SAILS™

Your new OneSails are unique products, custom built based on the research and 
innovation which has always distinguished the manufacturing philosophy of our 
Group. We rigorously select our materials, which we assemble with the most 
technologically advanced processes combined with the passion, knowledge, 
and attention to detail of our experienced sailmakers.
In this manual you will find our advice and suggestions to make the most 
of your new sails, and keep them efficient for many years.
Wherever you are sailing, and whatever your needs, you can always 
count on the professional efficiency of our distributed service 
network. OneSails has a truly international presence with lofts and 
service points all over the World, ready to help you solve any kind 
of problem and keep you enjoying your sailing.


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OneSails reserves the right to modify the content of this manual without 
prior advice. OneSails is a registered trademark of OneSails International Srl. 
Any other trademarks which may be mentioned are the property of their 
respective owners. 
© OneSails International Srl. All rights reserved.


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1.

 

PROPER USE OF YOUR SAILS 

P. 06 

2.

 

RACING SAILS 

P. 10 

3.

 

CRUISING SAILS 

P. 12

4.

 

ONE DESIGN AND DINGHY SAILS 

P. 14

5.

 

CARE AND MAINTENANCE 

P. 16

6.

 

ONESAILS SERVICE NETWORK 

P. 18

INDEX

USER MANUAL


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FIRST CHECKS

Before going sailing, it is advisable to hoist new sails on the dock 
in light airs in order to check that the measurements are correct, 
and all fittings match the boat’s hardware (luff slides, hanks, corner 
rings, reefs, etc.)

AVOIDING ABRASION AND CHAFE

Abrasion on rough surfaces and contact with sharp objects can 
cause premature wear and tear.
Never drag your sails on the ground or on deck, even in their bags, 
and avoid other kinds of contact as much as possible. Take great 
care in protecting all rigging items which may get to touch your 
sails like spreader tips, stanchions, cotter pins, etc. with padding or 
taping as appropriate.

1. USE ADVICE

FOR ALL SAILS


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. 7

DON’T LET SAILS FLOG

Letting sails flog in a breeze can seriously damage the sailcloth 
fibres and cause tears, or stitching to come undone.
Prevent this from happening as much as possible to extend the 
useful lifespan of your sails.

WIND SPEED

KNOTS

DO NOT EXCEED 

MAXIMUM WIND SPEED RANGE

Using sails beyond the maximum wind speed for which they have 
been designed can cause their premature deformation and, in 
extreme cases, their breakage.
If you are unsure about the wind range of your sail, contact your 
local One Sails loft or service point.


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STORE YOUR SAILS DRY AND 

PROPERLY FOLDED

Whenever possible, we recommend that 
you store your sails properly folded or 
rolled in their bags, after rinsing them with 
fresh water and drying them thoroughly.
The best way to let a sail dry is hoisting it 
for a short sail: avoid having it flog from 
the mast at the dock or mooring! Storing 
sails this way will prevent oxidation 
of metal fittings and the formation of 
mildew. Also follow other indications given 
in this manual for each type of sail.

DON’T LEAVE SAILS UNDULY 

EXPOSED TO THE UV

All sails are made of synthetic materials 
which are to some degree sensitive to UV 
radiation. Unnecessary exposure to direct 
sunlight can accelerate the deterioration 
process caused by UV radiation, and 
drastically shorten a sail’s life.
When sails are not used, they should be 
stowed below deck in their bags, or under 
a boom cover or furling sail UV sock 
if they stay rigged, to avoid prolonged 
exposure to the sun’s radiation.

MOTORING

Avoid motoring upwind with the sails 
hoisted and flogging: always lower or furl 
headsails, a mainsail can remain hoisted 
as long as wind angle and sheet / traveler 
trim allow at least its back part to fill.
If this is impossible, do lower the mainsail 
as well.


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. 9

•M

EA

S UR

E

M

EN

T

OK

MEASURING

If required, One Sails lofts can deliver sails measured and stamped 
by official measurers to certify their compliance with class rules.
It is a good idea having sails measured in advance prior to 
attending an event or regatta, so that a new rating certificate can 
be issued if needed.

LAMINATE SAILS

Laminates are usually more delicate than woven sailcloth, 
therefore, in order to prolong as much as possible their useful life, 
it is necessary to handle laminate sails with care, avoid crushing, 
pressing, or walking on them. When possible, fold and store below 
decks in between races, also to avoid unnecessary exposure to UV 
radiation.
Before the first use, it’s important to apply the supplied adhesive 
patches in areas subject to contact with the rigging (spreaders, 
pulpits, stanchions, hounds, etc.) to prevent chafing and damage
If damage occurs on a trip, a prompt temporary repair with the 
right adhesive Dacron cloth is highly advisable, to prevent further 
damage until the sail can be properly serviced. When stowing sails 
at the end of the racing day they should be rinsed with fresh water, 
dried, and the battens should be removed or at least their tension 
should be released.


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SPINNAKERS AND ASYMMETRICS

If possible let your spinnakers dry in between races on a short 
downwind leg. If your spinnaker is stored wet in its bag, darker 
colors can fade and stain lighter ones. When nylon is wet, it 
becomes three times more stretchy, and about twice as heavy, than 
when it’s dry. This characteristic however influences the sail’s shape 
and performance more than its life.
If you notice a hole or small tear, do repair it immediately by 
means of stickyback dacron or nylon repair tape. PVC (electrician’s) 
adhesive tape should be used only if strictly necessary and in small 
quantities, and removed as soon as practical to proceed with a 
proper repair in a OneSails loft or service point.

REMEASURE THE SAILS

Racing sails often shrink with age, so a rating benefit may be had 
by remeasuring the sails after some use.

2. RACING SAILS

USER MANUAL


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. 11

RELEASE BATTEN TENSION

Racing sails are built with materials which 
are strong but light, and can be damaged 
by excessive strain induced by prolonged 
batten tension.
Make sure you release tension from your 
battens when the racing day is over and 
sails are stored until the next use.

PROTECT SAILS FROM 

RIG CONTACT

Racing sails are usually less chafe resistant 
than cruising ones, so it’s essential to 
protect areas of contact with the rig with 
local reinforcing.
Ask your OneSails dealer for specific 
adhesive patching material, and proceed 
to apply it to critical spots right from the 
first use.

CHECK SAILS FREQUENTLY

While racing, sails usually get a fair 
amount of abuse.
Make sure you check their condition 
frequently and carefully, and repair minor 
damage immediately, before it gets worse.


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HALYARD TENSION

Do not tighten halyards excessively, particularly with electric 
winches. Proper halyard tension depends on sailing angle and wind 
force.
Once back at dock it’s very important to release the halyard tension 
of sails which remain furled, as well as the mainsail’s outhaul.

RUNNING RIGGING TRIM

Adjust the battens’ tension so that the sail is free of creases, but 
avoid putting on excessive compression.
When sailing, if the leech or foot begin to vibrate apply leechline 
tension to stop them.

3

. CRUISING SAILS

USER MANUAL


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. 13

PROLONGED STORAGE

When sails will not be used for a longer 
period of time, they should be rinsed with 
fresh water, dried thoroughly, unbent, 
folded in their bags and stowed in a dry 
and ventilated place.
In case of doubt on the condition of any 
of your sails seek advice from your local 
OneSails loft or service point.

   

BEFORE CRUISING

Before leaving on a cruise, or at least once 
a year, a detailed checkup of the sails’ 
condition is advisable.
Critical points are the corners, seams, 
reinforcements, luff tapes, UV covers, and 
more generally all the areas subject to 
contact with the rigging. In case of doubt 
on the condition of your sail seek advice 
from your local OneSails loft or service 
point.

AT THE DOCK OR MOORING

Check that furling sails aren’t furled too 
tightly, and if it is the case, provided 
the wind is light, unfurl and refurl them 
properly.
Make sure halyards and outhaul are 
released, and that boom covers and UV 
covers effectively protect the sails from UV 
radiation.


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NEW SAILS

Before taking your new sails racing it’s advisable to use them 
a couple of times training in moderate wind, to let the various 
elements settle in, and the sail take its design shape.

PROPER USE

After a day of sailing or racing rinse the sails with fresh water 
(imperative if you capsized), and let them dry hoisted if there is no 
wind, or on the deck.
Release tension from all battens to avoid over stretching the 
sailcloth.

4. ONE-DESIGN

AND DINGHY SAILS


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. 15

ROLLING SAILS

Most of the dinghy or one design sails are made of yarn tempered 
sailcloth which has a stiff finish increasing stability.
These sails are best stowed rolled rather than folded to preserve 
the cloth finish and avoid the formation of wrinkles. In case of 
prolonged stowage battens should be removed from their pockets.


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5. CARE AND MAINTENANCE

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

WASHING

Washing sails with a low pressure water hose to remove grit and 
salt is the best measure to prevent the formation of stains and 
mildew. If a sail is dirtier than normal, a neutral soap and a sponge 
can be used to gently rub its surface.
When finished, remove the soap by hosing with fresh water, and 
always let the sail dry thoroughly before stowing it.

PREVENTING AND REMOVING MILDEW

Mildew forms on sails mainly due to moisture. The best preventive 
measure is avoiding leaving sails damp in a closed space for a long 
period of time. Make sure they are completely dry when stowing 
them in their bags, and avoid storing them in tight spaces where air 
can’t circulate. In case sails are left furled or folded on the boom, 
they should periodically be hoisted or unfurled to dry out, particularly 
after a rainy period. Mildew are pluricellular fungi which can form 
and proliferate on the surface of sailcloth, and penetrate woven 
materials. It’s important to remove mildew as soon as you notice 
its formation, otherwise it can penetrate deeper and be even more 
difficult to get rid of. A sail with mildew will quickly contaminate 
others, so it should be isolated and treated as soon as possible.


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. 17

3%

WATER

BLEAC

H

MILDEW REMOVAL PRODUCTS

Mildew can be effectively removed using a 3% solution of sodium 
hypochlorite (also known as bleach) diluted with water, which can 
be sprayed or rubbed onto the sail using a soft sponge.
Always wear protective goggles and gloves for this operation. 
Leave to act for five minutes, then rinse with plenty of fresh water 
and let dry. If necessary, repeat the treatment with the same 
procedure, avoiding rubbing the sail surface too harshly.

WARNING! 
DO NOT USE BLEACH ON NYLON OR KEVLAR SAIL 

MATERIALS! 
ALWAYS FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE 

MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT YOU ARE USING.

!


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UPGRADE

Our exclusive upgrade services can breathe new life into your sails!
Upgrades can include UV protection, foam luff on furling headsails 
to improve their efficiency, replacing hanks with a headfoil tape, 
converting mainsails to fully battened, and much more.
Consult with your local OneSails loft for the full list.

SERVICE NETWORK

Wherever you are sailing, and whatever your needs may be, you 
can always count on the professional efficiency of our distributed 
service network.
OneSails has a truly international presence with lofts and service 
points all over the World, ready to help you solve any kind of 
problem and keep you enjoying your sailing. Locate your nearest 
dealer at www.onesails.com

6. ONESAILS SERVICE

 FIRST CLASS SERVICE, SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE


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. 19

CHECK-UP, CLEANING AND 

SHAPE REVISION

Sails operate in an unfriendly environment, where salt and 
polluting substances present in the air constantly attack the 
material they are made of, and with time can deteriorate it to the 
point of causing severe damage.
Sails are also subject to wear, until they require professional 
servicing. A check-up at the end of each season is highly advisable 
to address the small problems before they develop into more 
serious ones. Our services include:
• Cleaning and washing to remove dirt and salt
• Thorough drying and preparation for winter storage
• Check-up of the parts more subject to wear
• Evaluation and update of the shape (upon request)

REPAIR

It is very important that any repair, however small it may be, is 
carried out immediately to prevent any damage from spreading, 
possibly catastrophically.
Most urgent repairs can usually be carried out within 24 hours by a 
One Sails service point.

STORAGE

Many One Sails lofts are equipped to offer winter storage service, 
stowing your sails dry and properly folded in a climate controlled 
environment until you will need them again.
Contact your local service point for details.


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Rev

. 03.2020

 www.onesails.com