Abstract: A sail cover apparatus and method for completely covering a sail that is slidably supported on the mast and boom of a sailboat wherein a pair of elongated flexible cover halves are provided having mating lower edges for detachable securement along the foot of the sail, and upper edges for closure over the sail. The lower edges of the cover halves are secured adjacent to the foot of the sail disposed along the boom. The cover halves are raised and lowered by lift lines secured adjacent to the sail on both sides along its full length and substantially parallel to both sides of the sail. Thus, a sail receiving pocket is formed, permitting the sail to be lowered into the space between the sail cover halves. The upper edges of said cover halves are closed to encircle the sail after the sail has been lowered. The cover is thus collapsed and compacted around the enclosed sail.