Looking for used Main and Headsail for Catalina 27 TR
- Thread starter River sailer
- Start date
Personally, I would not bother to buy used sails from another C 27 as they are probably just as worn out as the ones you already have. If you have sails & they are just tired or ripped, perhaps they can still be repaired by a local sail loft. Or if there's no sail loft around you, then buy a used commercial sewing machine & fix them yourself.
When you have the money saved, it would be better spent on new sails that aren't already blown out, & too baggy from wear & over stretched from too many over zealous teenagers hauling them up, & cranking the devil out of the seams with a halyard winch!
The biggest improvement you can make for a boat's sailing performance is to invest in new sails, but it seems like its the last concern of many sailors. Mainly because its such an expensive, but worth while investment. If you have no sails at all & can only afford used, then look up Bacon Sails in Annapolis online. They sell a large number if used sails from their loft.
When you have the money saved, it would be better spent on new sails that aren't already blown out, & too baggy from wear & over stretched from too many over zealous teenagers hauling them up, & cranking the devil out of the seams with a halyard winch!
The biggest improvement you can make for a boat's sailing performance is to invest in new sails, but it seems like its the last concern of many sailors. Mainly because its such an expensive, but worth while investment. If you have no sails at all & can only afford used, then look up Bacon Sails in Annapolis online. They sell a large number if used sails from their loft.
On two separate occasions I have acquired used sails. The first time it didn't work out so well, the second time it turned out perfect. Since I have a 50% success rate, here is what I'll tell you:
- Don't buy any used sail unless you can raise it on your boat before buying. You can do it at your slip before the wind comes up. Sometimes stated dimensions aren't accurate. Just because a sail came from a C27 doesn't mean it started life there.
- Take the sail to a professional sail-maker that does repairs and get an opinion. They have a practiced eye and can see things we miss. You have the added bonus of getting an estimate to fix/improve deficiencies which will factor into your decision.
- Don't pay a lot. There are lots and lots of sails out there. For example my second sail, a jib, came free off a former owner that no longer owned the boat. You don't find a deal like that right away. The sail cleaned up great and looks nearly as good as new.