B361 Sail Inventory

[GDanko]

As the 2022 season closed on the Great Lakes, we acquired a 2001 B361 in Michigan. She's always been in fresh water and hauled for the winters. The original Neil Pryde sails are all she has - a 140 and an in-mast main. They look "ok" from a non-expert perspective and I'm planning to have them inspected by a sail maker near our home in the Carolina's.

We plan to sail the Great Lakes for 2 or 3 seasons and then migrate south for year round cruising.

Initially, my thoughts were to replace them; after 21 years they have to be worn out right....? So, I received a quote from the local loft as well as from the Neil Pryde rep (which was significantly less - still being made in China). But yesterday an old salt suggested after they're inspected just use them till something fails. On the Great Lakes you're never more than a day away from the next port should something need repairing.

My tendency is to over-build, over-spend to a fault for the best performance, fewest break downs. With the in-mast furling, I assume the new main will roll in better although the PO reported no problems with the current sail. So my debate is whether or not to squeeze more life out of the originals or plunk down $4,500 - 6,500 for new and shelve the originals. Maybe keep using the originals and add a 110 or smaller front sail to the inventory.

Any thoughts or suggestions to help with my debate?

 

[kappykaplan]

I'm planning to have them inspected by a sail maker

This first before you make any decision on purchasing new sails.

 

[Marmalade]

Inspection is not a bad idea, that can evaluate the condition for sure. But you shouldn't discount the shape.

An experienced sail maker may see some signs of being "blown-out", but they should also want to see pictures of the sails flying in moderate breeze, preferably close-hauled.

The sails condition maybe stable, but I'd imagine the shape, particularly for going upwind, are compromised.

 

[BigEasy]

Good idea to have sails checked out; however, I would hold off on replacing them for now. You are likely to find other issues, once you become more familiar with your new boat, that may be a higher priority. Of course, if finances are not a concern, go for it and replace the sails. Rigging is OK??

 

[GDanko]

Thanks for the feedback. I should have thought to capture the sails while sea trialing but overlooked it. My evaluation was of the material, sewing, etc but wasn't thinking about shape.

Yes, step one will be to have the sail maker evaluate them. That might be comparable to pulling into a car dealership in a 20 yo car and asking the salesman if she'll last another year or should i buy a new one from him.

Even more important is the rigging as BigEasy just reminded me. The PO never removed the mast in the 9 yrs of owning her and even worse, I did not know the marine surveyor had no intentions of inspecting any above the deck fittings. My bad...
I plan to locate a rigger in northern Michigan that will go aloft as a minimum, the sooner the better.

 

[Tally Ho]

Thanks for the feedback. I should have thought to capture the sails while sea trialing but overlooked it. My evaluation was of the material, sewing, etc but wasn't thinking about shape.

Yes, step one will be to have the sail maker evaluate them. That might be comparable to pulling into a car dealership in a 20 yo car and asking the salesman if she'll last another year or should i buy a new one from him.

Even more important is the rigging as BigEasy just reminded me. The PO never removed the mast in the 9 yrs of owning her and even worse, I did not know the marine surveyor had no intentions of inspecting any above the deck fittings. My bad...
I plan to locate a rigger in northern Michigan that will go aloft as a minimum, the sooner the better.

I think rigging on freshwater boats last a lot longer than boats exposed to salt.

My O’Day 322 is 34 years old (I have owned it for 8 years). I don’t know that the standing rigging has ever been replaced. I do plan to drop the mast in a year or two after I retire, and replace the rigging, but no visible issues currently.

As far as sails, 20 year old sails are probably past their prime. I took my 14-year old Genoa to my sail loft this year to get a new UV cover put on… and the recommended that the sail was pretty shot, and not worth the investment of a new cover. Maybe just a sales pitch, but I did slice it pretty easy with a ream ripper when removing some of the zuV cover stitches. So a new sail is on order.

Despite not being stranded at sea while sailing on Lake Michigan, new sails will make a huge difference in the performance and handling of your new boat.

Greg

 

[jssailem]

after 21 years they have to be worn out right

RIGHT!

an old salt suggested after they're inspected just use them till something fails.

Wise words. New to you boat. You will find plenty to spend money on - Standing rigging and Mast refitting would be a priority item if I was goig to sail in open water.

Suggest you first get the boat in the water and play with it for a month or so. Write down all of the projects you want to change.
Sort them into:

1. Survival on the water
2. Need these to be safe & happy
3. Want these to be fulfilled.

Then start spending your money in that order.

You should plan on the sails not designed for the Great Lakes, but for the Dream to "migrate south for year round cruising".
I am guessing here but the south sounds like Open Water sailing adventures perhaps in the Caribbean Waters.

Cruising Sails.

I would wait for those. I like North Sails for their design, value and product performance. Many sail manufacturers out there. My choice of supplier is based on the loft help in measuring, designing and fitting the sails to my boat at a fair price.

 

[Mechone]

I can tell you I purchased new main from Precision Sails Tri radial and was major heavy duty compared to neil pride it replaced. With that said rumour has it that many sail makers are having their sails made offshore by Far East Sails and others I know have had quotes from them 1500.00 cheaper. I believe my Precision sail was made by them