New "old stock" main sail, is it good?

LadyHawk

LadyHawk

.
Jun 23, 2017
33
NorthStar 22 Catalina 22 (under restoration) Lake Red Rock
I have come across a new, but old stock (been stored for 20 years) main for my boat. The price is less than 50% of a new sail on the market today. She is clean and white. No stains or mildew.
Does sail material wear out with age even if not in use?
Am I better off waiting until the budget allows me to get a newly made main?
Thanks!
 
Brian S

Brian S

.
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Sails wear from physical motion and UV degradation. So, if you have a sail that flogs a lot, it will pull on the seams, chafe, and wear thread and fabric. If you leave a sail in the sun, it will deteriorate thread (generally more quickly) and the sail cloth due to the UV radiation.

So, theoretically, a new sail folded up in a bag in a closet for 20 years ought to be in excellent shape. Maybe there is some degradation due to atmospheric ozone (dunno about interaction between ozone and polyester and the resin in the fabric, but I suspect not much.) I doubt the bolt rope would shrink without lots of wet/dry cycles.
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
13,999
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
If the sail has been folded the creases from the folds may be set, but that wouldn't stop me from buying it. Sounds like a good deal.
 
rardiH36

rardiH36

.
Jun 21, 2007
2,118
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
Besides the sail itself, also factor in "other" that might be needed to make the sail functional on your boat. Such as:

- Are battens also included? If not, verify your current sail's battens will fit into the new sail's pockets.

- Any concerns with slide/slug size or bolt rope diameter?

- Reef points?

- Unless you are very sure that the sail was made for your boat model and year, and that over the years there were no changes to the boom or the mast on either boat, you should double / triple check that the new sail's dimensions are correct.
 
Gunni

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Not all sailcloth is the same. Who made it and where did the sailcloth come from?
 
LadyHawk

LadyHawk

.
Jun 23, 2017
33
NorthStar 22 Catalina 22 (under restoration) Lake Red Rock
Catalina Sails made it and it is for my Catalina 22
 
Gunni

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
If Catalina stands behind it, then you are good.
 
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