Hi Peter,

There was a famous new Zealand around the world racing sailor name of Peter Blake. His advice: off shore never sail close hauled, (racing or cruising) crack sheets and enjoy the better sea motion, speed and comfort, because the wind will change. Put it another way, don't fight to stay on the rhumb line take the easier passage, the wind will change. I'm talking long inter-island passages and trans ocean stuff. As a fervent erstwhile racing yachtsman it took me quite a while to come to grips with this. Against all my instincts, but I promise you PB was right. Back to the towels or soft leather protectors on the poles. With the best will in the world there will be times when your sail will make contact. Why not apply this simple protection. Makes more sense than wear patches on the sail.

Kind Regards

Danny Simms