I would love to be able to just roll up the sails with the boom and store it in such a manner, but I sail offshore most of the time. The salt water that gets on everything surely has a role to play in how you store your sails. If the sails are still damp, then it makes sense to take off the boom to avoid corrosion. Porbably also aids in the drying in some way. With regards to the batten tension, I've heard it stretches the pocket over time..which allthough I have not seen I must admit, but it does make logical sense. I suppose it depends on the age of your sail and how you want to look after them. But, more to the point, when sailing in different conditions, would you not want to adjust your batten tension to the apprpreaite shape. I'm pretty new to sailing, but it's fun trying to tune the boat on each day. So Dave, if you're interested in a bit of tuning, I would think that adjustments of the sail are part of it..Maybe others will have a stronger oppinion on this. But if you are going to be adjusting the tension all the time, you may as well release the tension after sailing..only takes 10 seconds..I do have a query for other offshore salty sailors...how often do you go through the washing of your sails to get any salt of them? It is not possible to wash our sails off at my beach club..so its a big job back home which takes time..any thoughts on this?