My main sail needs patching and the plastic attachments are brittle. I wonder if someone has a good main sail they might part with or should I pursue patching and replacing the plastic?
Main Sail for HC37
- Thread starter DanMaine
- Start date
How old is the sail? If it’s original, or even if it was replaced once many years ago, it’s likely well past its prime. Though patching and new plastic bits (sail slides I presume?) might keep it in service it definitely won’t perform like a newer sail with its as-designed shape. A patch on a relatively new sail that just got torn or chafed can be worthwhile; patches on an old blown out sail might not be.
The plastic sail slides deteriorate from UV exposure. It's not a big job to replace them.
As for the main sail I couldn't say. The best amateur test I can think of is to raise the sail, put strong halyard tension, outhaul tension, Cunningham and some vang and sail up wind in 10 to 12 knots. If the maximum draft of the lower 2/3's of the sail is more than 50% aft, the sail is shot.
You can sail with shot sails if you don't care about performance. But I think sailing is a kinetic sport and performance is more fun. Not only fun but the reason to go out.
As for the main sail I couldn't say. The best amateur test I can think of is to raise the sail, put strong halyard tension, outhaul tension, Cunningham and some vang and sail up wind in 10 to 12 knots. If the maximum draft of the lower 2/3's of the sail is more than 50% aft, the sail is shot.
You can sail with shot sails if you don't care about performance. But I think sailing is a kinetic sport and performance is more fun. Not only fun but the reason to go out.