So sadly I only just now got around to watching the latest Disney animated movie. And this part honestly confused me slightly. As per my understanding, sails were really prone to breakage, falling apart, getting holes and such. And thus spending so much time on sails that were so finely and artistically decorated seems... pointless
I'm a tad late for it, but anyways. Your question has been replied here before https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5fev2n/are_the_boat_designs_in_disneys_moana_accurate_to/?ref=search_posts by /u/b1uepenguin