Main Sail - Sail Care

[Jack O'B]

Hello - I recently purchased a 1989 Catalina 22 with what appears to be the original main sail. There are no tears in the sail and all the seams appear to be in good shape. The sail shape is not the best. I'm a cruiser at heart and racing this boat does not really appeal to me at this time. I don't have the money right now to afford a new main sail and have considered sending the sail to "Sail Care" - they utilize the LaMauney process of dry cleaning the sail which they claim will help to restore the sail to almost new. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has utilized this company in Ford City Penn.. Thanks for any and all  helpful info Jack OB

 

[R.W. Landau]

Sailcare

Jack,It's a good company. They can not make new sails out of old but they can surely clean and reresin a good sail into nicer condition. They developed that process and there is no one by Sailcare that does it.They have done my sails and I was very happy. They made a repair and I also had telltails installed. Telltales are priceless on an inland lake set in hills with constant wind changes.You will hear very few bad remarks about Sailcare. I think the worst thing that I have heard is that the luff rope shrank during the process. They can do nothing about that and it is a minor sail repair if it does.Try to catch a 15% off coupon from a boat show or ask them if you can take advantage of a boat show price.r.w.landau

 

[Dave Royce]

SailCare

I am waiting for my sails to be returned from SailCare. They shipped them last Friday. I heard good comments about SailCare but will let you know when they get back. The only concern I have is that they (SailCare) appear to very busy, they have had my sails for seven weeks.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

Heard good things

I have a friend who used them & he was happy with the results. I haven't seen them yet but he is pleased.LaDonna

 

[Steve O.]

sail cleaning

I had my 33.5 mainsail cleaned by Sail Care and it came out great. It came back looking and feeling like new, but the cleaning process won't affect the shape in any way, so if your sail is blown out, it will be a very clean blown out sail.

 

[Bill]

Sail Care

I have used them and they do an excellent job. However, if your sail is blown out it is blown out and it will be a pretty but blown out sail when you get it back. A new main from a discounter with one row of reefs, no insignia or numbers will run $425. Probaly have in stock or a used main or new take off might be worth exploring.Given the cost of cleaning and shipping two ways you will probbaly pay around $200 to get the sail cleaned.There have been several posts about delays in getting the work done when promised, which was my only complaint with them.It could run 4-6 weeks so you will shorten your sailing season. This would be a major factor in my decision making.Hope that this helps and not cloud the decision process for you.