How critical to performance, in comparison, is an aging foresail

RussC

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,732
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
I recently replaced my aging M25 mainsail with a nice crispy new Doyle and am now wondering if the benefits warrant also replacing the jib. My jib is in a lot better shape than the main was, but when comparing to the crispy new main it sure shows just how limp the jib is ;) . whenever one hears discussion of the overall loss of performance and pointing ability, as well as added healing caused by aging sails, the discussion always seems to focus on the main, but isn't the jib just as subject to performance losses? or is it?…. I don't see myself ever entering any races, except with myself…. and the guy next to me.
 
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M

markwbird

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Nov 26, 2012
1,654
C&C 40-2 Berkeley
It makes a big difference if performance matters. That is, if you race. Hard to know how out of shape your sail is but if you can tell by looking at it then it's out of shape
 
J

jimg

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Jun 5, 2004
175
catalina 27 dana point
The headsail makes a VERY big difference in performance. Spring for a new one and you won't regret it. And face it, anytime two boats of about the same size are within sight of each other, they're racing.
 
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Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
It's just easier to SEE in the main. Headsails get blown out too, and the same rate. And old cloth has lost its structure, which is necessary for it to hold shape. If your sail feels like an old bed sheet, then it's probably time for a new one.
 
Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

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Jul 7, 2004
8,535
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
I'm guessing that a new, powerful main in use with a limp, underperforming jib is going to upset the balance of the boat. You might feel it in the tiller. It's always easier to spend other people's money - I vote for a new jib ;)
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,550
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
I got a new jib this season (which was this last winter) and it definitively made a difference in boat speed. But the only way I knew this was because I had a lot of time on the old jib and sailed with some of the same boats with the new and old jib.

One thing to throw in.. You will have some choices for the new jib such as hank on, roller furler, what type of roller furler, what size jib, how it affects your forward view. Since that boat is new to you, using what you have for a season may give you a better idea what you want when you do buy a new jib.
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,075
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
We have sprung for a new main and I'm wondering how much this will increase performance.
We literally had holes (serious delamination in the old tape drive main) large enough to see the jib and trim it by looking through the main, yet on our last sail with it in winds under 20 knots we still consistently reached speeds approaching 10 knots. I just don't see this boat going much faster than that in those conditions.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
capta said:
We have sprung for a new main and I'm wondering how much this will increase performance.
We literally had holes (serious delamination in the old tape drive main) large enough to see the jib and trim it by looking through the main, yet on our last sail with it in winds under 20 knots we still consistently reached speeds approaching 10 knots. I just don't see this boat going much faster than that in those conditions.
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Well any boat with any sails will hit hull speed on a reach with a decent breeze. New sails will work much better in marginal conditions, really big air, and going upwind.

UK Tape Drives are easily the longest lasting laminated sails. But if you bought a new one, I bet that cost you big time!
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,075
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Jackdaw said:
Well any boat with any sails will hit hull speed on a reach with a decent breeze. New sails will work much better in marginal conditions, really big air, and going upwind.

UK Tape Drives are easily the longest lasting laminated sails. But if you bought a new one, I bet that cost you big time!
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I would not buy another sail from UK if they were the only sailmaker left on earth. Nor would I buy another tape drive sail. Though I like the cut, these sails mold like crazy and there's no way to clean them. It's certainly is not a cruising sail, that's for sure. Nope, I'll stick to good old fashioned Dac for now.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
capta said:
I would not buy another sail from UK if they were the only sailmaker left on earth. Nor would I buy another tape drive sail. Though I like the cut, these sails mold like crazy and there's no way to clean them. It's certainly is not a cruising sail, that's for sure. Nope, I'll stick to good old fashioned Dac for now.
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For sure mold is an issue with laminates, in particular if they are put away wet, and/or used in tropical climes. As you note not a pure cruising sail, but with double taffeta siding will last a long time if you don't flog them.
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,075
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Jackdaw said:
For sure mold is an issue with laminates, in particular if they are put away wet, and/or used in tropical climes. As you note not a pure cruising sail, but with double taffeta siding will last a long time if you don't flog them.
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"It's raining, it's pouring," no wait a minute. That's the laminate coming off the sail. Like a trail of breadcrumbs....
 
RussC

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,732
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
walt said:
I got a new jib this season (which was this last winter) and it definitively made a difference in boat speed. But the only way I knew this was because I had a lot of time on the old jib and sailed with some of the same boats with the new and old jib.

One thing to throw in.. You will have some choices for the new jib such as hank on, roller furler, what type of roller furler, what size jib, how it affects your forward view. Since that boat is new to you, using what you have for a season may give you a better idea what you want when you do buy a new jib.
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How did your new sail point in comparison to your old one? We sometimes sail on a couple smallish lakes here, so anything that helps the pointing ability is high on the priority list. one of the most scenic lakes, and therefore one of our favorite, is just under 1000 acres and long/skinny in places.
I'll stay with the hanked on jib for simplicity of trailering and setup. and would stay with a 100 or 110 due to it's reported (by BWY and others) much better pointing ability on this boat. the fastest route should be in a straight line ;)
 
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