Genoa repair or replace?

[jblersch]

The UV cover on my 240's jib is shot and needs to be replaced. The sail is 11 years old and original to the boat. I got a quote from Doyle for both replacing the UV cover and replacing the sail; replacing the UV cover would cost more than half of a new sail. Doyle recommended replacing the sail, considering its age.

A couple of questions:

1 - What is a typical life span for a sail? I'm wondering whether its worth it to replace the UV cover on an 11-year-old sail. The rest of the sail appears to be in decent shape to my eyes.

2 - Are there other sailmakers that are competitive in price?

 

[Nicky17000]

It is impossible to evaluate an old sail condition without seeing it.
you may also get a couple of quotes from other sources for comparison.
I bought a new jib from Doyle some years ago and don't regret it.
In your case, I think, they are either asking too much for the cover, or giving a very good price for the new jib, because I don't see why the cover costs more than half the price of a new jib.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Sail age is all about exposure to the sun. A crusising boat may only get 3 years while a weekend sailor my get 15.
The reason the UV cover costs so much to replace is they have to take the old one off. A real PITA and you never know what you will find under it.
While this is a job you can do yourself at very low cost it is not one that I'd recommend as a "first attempt at sail repair". Lots of sewing through reinforcement patches and other heavy work. Your bicepts will be in shape when you get done though.
You can also try sailrite.com. They have kits and will also construct the sail for you.

 

[Clark]

I'd also add exposure to high(er) winds. A sail could be stretched out of shape after 5 years and still be a good looking triangle. It is common for newbie (and not-so-newbie) sailors to think that sheeting a sail tight as a drum and trimmed too much in heavy winds to stand a boat on its ear to be 'fun'.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Genoa Repair or replace

To me, the decision to replace the UV cover on a headsail all depends on the overall condition of the sail. For example, I recently had the UV cover of a 120 per cent headsail replaced at the cost of $270. A new replacement would have cost at least 4 times that amount. The key to this decision was my belief that my headsail had at least half its life left in it. I suggest you have your headsail evaluated and if it looks like it has a lot of life left, shop around for a local canvas shop (which may be less expensive than a national sail loft) to get the best price on a replacement UV cover.

 

[Cherie320]

Some folks have suggested that one way to reduce the cost of the UV shield replacement is to remove the old shield yourself. Check with your sailmaker first.

Unless you are broke, get a new sail and sell this one to someone who is.

 

[stephen Penny]

To answer question 2 contact Lee Sails in Alameda, CA at 707-386-2490 for a competitive cost for a new head sail since he has them fabricated overseas.

A low cost alternative to a sewn UV protector for a furling head sail is a cover. Costs $150 for up to 20 feet, add $10 per foot over 20', e-mail Becky.Randolph@LeeSailCovers.com, (800) 516-2703www.leesailcovers.com/Jib_Sock.php.

 

[LarryH]

Mack Sail in Stuart Florida are the best. Tell Colin i recoomended him!