Are 30 year old sails worth anything??

S

sheardc

.
May 27, 2014
14
C&C 30' MkII Glenville
I have 2 sets of 30+ year old sails off a Beneteau First 235 and a C&C 30' MkII. They have been stored in my dry cellar in bags. The issue is I replaced these sails due to their age. Really do not want to keep them any more. It would be nice to recycle them somehow. Was thinking of using one of them for an deck awning.
Thoughts??
 
F

Foswick

.
Apr 25, 2024
119
Fuji 32 Bellingham
I once made an outdoor projection screen for backyard movie night out of a retired main sail. Worked OKish. Got the idea from a guy I ran into at a port we stopped in at. There was what appeared to be a flotilla of West Wight Potters at the marina and I was impressed with how nicely the owners had made use of their minimal space. One skipper had a projector and had tied the boom out with the main up and was projecting on the sail.
 
  • Like
Likes: Will Gilmore
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,281
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Last year at the boat show I came across craftsman that was trading a handmade bag for the old sails you provide.
There are many websites on the web that produce and sell recrafted sail material.

Look local, you may have a shop nearby. Or perhaps it is a new hobby you might explore.
 
  • Like
Likes: JBP-PA and Timm R Oday25
FastOlson

FastOlson

.
Apr 8, 2010
2,049
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
We have a local bag/duffle maker that accepts old sails. He recycles the material, and usually gives back a tote bag as "payment" and it will usually have part of your emblem/sail number on it if you ask politely.
We recycled two tired out dacron sails this way.
If you check around you may have someone in your area that does this. It's a real "win win" situation.
Just do not expect to get actual dollars for them. :)
Check this page for our local guy's use of "up cycled" material. About
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes: Timm R Oday25 and jssailem
PaulK

PaulK

.
Dec 1, 2009
1,317
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
We use old sails for raking leaves. You can drag three or four wagonloads behind a tractor without having to lift any into a wagon bed. To dump the load you attach a line to the tack instead the head so the sail inverts itself as you drive away.
A sun awning would work too, but fastening them down in a breeze might be a problem.
 
J

JBP-PA

.
Apr 29, 2022
504
Jeanneau Tonic 23 Erie, PA
Tons of fun things can be made from them, just just bags. Boom tents, fender curtains, winch covers, wind scoops, hammocks, windbreaker jackets, etc.
Definitely find someone who can use them. If you are on Lake Erie, I'll take them.
 
thinwater

thinwater

.
Mar 26, 2011
3,610
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
It always seems to me that they really are wrong for everything.

First, they are not flat. The seems would have to ripped before you could make a flat screen for projection that would not bag and flap. Same with awnings; they need to be flat or catenary cut, not with fullness.

The fabric is all wrong. It has poor UV resistance. The resonated stiffness makes for stiff finished projects; if resonated cloth was good for anything other than sails, they would make it.

Mostly, it's just free tarp material that isn't flat.

---

All that said, I've donated a few sails to people that did something with them. Depending on condition, used sail vendors might be interested. I have done that too. Finally, it's smart to save a few yards for projects and repairs.
 
M

marcham

.
Jun 17, 2022
153
Hunter 380 Comox BC
They make great bags. Or maybe a patio awning? List it for free on Facebook Marketplace, someone will take them away!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom