My oday 25 main sail ripped the seem out about halfway up the sail, the material not damaged just the seem ripped. Who would be a good contact to get that seem repaired and some other general seem repair around connectors to mast seems repaired. The sail is still in good shape, don't want to throw away......thanks!
My O day sail ripped
- Thread starter wetsu82
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It is probably best to just get a new boat. I would be happy to haul the old one off for you, no charge!
I would take it to a couple of local sail makers. I say a "couple" because the first guy you take it to might want to talk you into buying a new sail.
I brought my sail to Thurston Quantum Sails in Bristol RI., the same people who made my sails back in the mid 1990s. My sail pocket got caught on one of my spreaders and got torn.
The lady at Thurston told me that my sail was on the way out and that it had sun damage. Then she continued to rip it at the existing tear. Of course it's going to rip if you try to tear it along the damaged area.
After they quoted me a price of $1170 for a new sail, I told them that I would think about it, but then I took my sail to North Sails down in Portsmouth RI. I helped the kid spread the sail on the floor and he tested the sail material by pinching it with his thumbs and fore fingers in an undamaged area of the sail in an attempt to tear it, and guess what? He couldn't tear it. He repaired my sail by adding a panel and reinforcing the batten pocket. That was about three years ago and the sail has been performing well. Don't get me wrong. My sails are old but they are still as stiff as the day I had them made and they are not blown out.
So use your own discretion. Try the pinch and pull test in a couple of the undamaged areas of the sail. If the sail is still stiff and not blown out, it will be worth fixing.
I've always taken good care of my sails by covering them whenever possible and I know I can make them last for a while longer if I continue to do so.
First of all, how old is the sail? Did it rip because it caught on something? The sail cloth could be in decent shape but the sail could be 'blown out'.If it's the original then a new sail is probably in order. My main 'looked' to be in good shape when I bought my boat 4 years ago but it was too soft and way too much draft and after almost half of the sail slides ripped off during a heavy gust an agonising reappraisal was in order. Now is a good time to buy one; most sailmakers have discounts now. You should get a loft to look at it and see if it's worth putting more money into it. I don't know if there are any sailmakers in your area, but you can send it to one. 'Sail Care' in PA is a great place to work with. This web site will give you a great quote on a new main. They could also repair the sail if it's worth getting fixed. They're also great to work with. I know that a new sail can be a lot but it's worth it if the boat needs one. It'll sail better, heel less and be safer. Make a few phone calls, get some feedback.
Rich
Rich
Would you mind explaining "blown out"? I'm new to sailing and picked up an O'day 25 a few months ago. It came with 3 mainsails, not sure which is the "best " of the three to use.
Thanks,
Aaron
Thanks,
Aaron
Sails are cut and sewn so that they have a certain amount of draft in them as opposed to being just flat, but as they get older they can get thin, stretched out, and baggy and are said to be blown out. Blown out sails can cause excessive weather helm and hinder boat speed.
New sails have stiff dacron with a certain amount of draft in them which allows the boat to point higher into the wind and gain optimum speed under normal conditions. Old sails have the opposite effect.
Ok, thanks. So, I imagine I should be able to feel the difference by touch comparison? Won't be sailing her anytime soon though, pulled her out just before Sandy hit!Trinkka said:
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There are many variables when it comes to used sails. Some owners take good care of their sails and others don't.
Years ago when I bought my boat new in the boat show, I never took care of my sails. I didn't have a sail cover and it was just a matter of time when my sails got so bad that they tore to shreds while I was motoring out of Bristol Harbor one day in a full gale. The sail was tied to the boom with a Davis Sail Jock and the wind hit the leech of the sail and tore the batten pockets out. I had the original Neil Pride Sails that came with the boat and I did a lot of trailer sailing back then.
After that, I went to Thurston Sails and had a new Main and Genoa made. I also broke down and bought a sail cover. Since then I have always slacked off on my out haul whenever I lower my sail and I cover my sail frequently, even if I make a stop at the Spar Islands for a half hour to curb my dog. That sail gets covered. Consequently my sails still have the same stiffness they had when they were new.
I have a Cunningham cringle but I've never used it. I could use some new sails but I don't have the money right now.
My friend Wayne bought a new sail at Sperry last year and they gave him a good deal on it. If you have a Main and Jib or Gennie that looks pretty good, take it to a couple of places and have them check it out. I went to Thurston's a couple of years ago when my sail got torn and they were more interested selling me a new sail. Then I wound up taking it to North Sails in Portsmouth RI and they repaired it. I'm still using it. If you need a new sail, right now is a good time to get one made. Don't settle for their price. They can come down.
The guy at Sperry quoted my friend $1100 for a new Mainsail and he dropped his price to $800. My friend has a 22' sloop.
Good luck!
Joe
Years ago when I bought my boat new in the boat show, I never took care of my sails. I didn't have a sail cover and it was just a matter of time when my sails got so bad that they tore to shreds while I was motoring out of Bristol Harbor one day in a full gale. The sail was tied to the boom with a Davis Sail Jock and the wind hit the leech of the sail and tore the batten pockets out. I had the original Neil Pride Sails that came with the boat and I did a lot of trailer sailing back then.
After that, I went to Thurston Sails and had a new Main and Genoa made. I also broke down and bought a sail cover. Since then I have always slacked off on my out haul whenever I lower my sail and I cover my sail frequently, even if I make a stop at the Spar Islands for a half hour to curb my dog. That sail gets covered. Consequently my sails still have the same stiffness they had when they were new.
I have a Cunningham cringle but I've never used it. I could use some new sails but I don't have the money right now.
My friend Wayne bought a new sail at Sperry last year and they gave him a good deal on it. If you have a Main and Jib or Gennie that looks pretty good, take it to a couple of places and have them check it out. I went to Thurston's a couple of years ago when my sail got torn and they were more interested selling me a new sail. Then I wound up taking it to North Sails in Portsmouth RI and they repaired it. I'm still using it. If you need a new sail, right now is a good time to get one made. Don't settle for their price. They can come down.
The guy at Sperry quoted my friend $1100 for a new Mainsail and he dropped his price to $800. My friend has a 22' sloop.
Good luck!
Joe
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