I've decided to order a new mainsail for my 1979 Oday 23 for next season. Anyone have any suggestions on cloth weight, features, favorite vendors or lofts, etc.? I am especially interested in your thoughts on full length top battens (one or two?, waste of money?)and full cut roaches (some call this a "powerhead" or performance option). Thanks in advance for your thoughts and experiences.
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charly
You struck gold with your "new" sail. I looked for a similar bargain for a couple of years and never found it. My new sails did amount to a large percentage of the value of my boat; not 100%, but more than half. That's the problem with any improvement you make to a boat that didn't cost much to begin with: any major upgrade is difficult to swallow. I suffered for years with the 1981 outboard that came with the boat. After losing half the summer once when it refused to start (even after much professional work), I finally bit the bullet and bought a new one. The same with my sails. I looked for "used" upgrades, but was never able to find anything that was worth it. Once I decided to buy new sails, I went for the most value I could find.
You struck gold with your "new" sail. I looked for a similar bargain for a couple of years and never found it. My new sails did amount to a large percentage of the value of my boat; not 100%, but more than half. That's the problem with any improvement you make to a boat that didn't cost much to begin with: any major upgrade is difficult to swallow. I suffered for years with the 1981 outboard that came with the boat. After losing half the summer once when it refused to start (even after much professional work), I finally bit the bullet and bought a new one. The same with my sails. I looked for "used" upgrades, but was never able to find anything that was worth it. Once I decided to buy new sails, I went for the most value I could find.
The Sail Wrehouse
This summer I bought a new main, 135% genoa and CDI FF2 furler (with all hardware & furling line) for my 1982 O'day 23. The supplier was The Sail Warehouse. Total cost, including insignia and hull number on the main, was around $1,600 (delivery included). The main is 5oz and the genoa is 5.5oz dacron. Like Mike, I was sailing on original Neil Pryde sails which were blown out. The new sails from TSW are made in Taiwan by Rolly Tasker. If you don't want insignia, numbers or other bells & whistles they can get your new sails delivered (from California) the next day. Special orders are done in the Taiwan loft and are shipped to California once a month. I have the same batten and roach setup as the OEM but upgrades are available. One item I wish I had added is a Mainsail foot shelf to improve outhaul flexibility. I know there are many lofts and companies out there but I'm happy with decent quality, significantly improved shape, and a heck of a price. Good luck with your search.
This summer I bought a new main, 135% genoa and CDI FF2 furler (with all hardware & furling line) for my 1982 O'day 23. The supplier was The Sail Warehouse. Total cost, including insignia and hull number on the main, was around $1,600 (delivery included). The main is 5oz and the genoa is 5.5oz dacron. Like Mike, I was sailing on original Neil Pryde sails which were blown out. The new sails from TSW are made in Taiwan by Rolly Tasker. If you don't want insignia, numbers or other bells & whistles they can get your new sails delivered (from California) the next day. Special orders are done in the Taiwan loft and are shipped to California once a month. I have the same batten and roach setup as the OEM but upgrades are available. One item I wish I had added is a Mainsail foot shelf to improve outhaul flexibility. I know there are many lofts and companies out there but I'm happy with decent quality, significantly improved shape, and a heck of a price. Good luck with your search.
worth it if you enjoy it
Hi Mike, Thanks for the information. Sounds like you did your homework before purchasing new sails (that's half the fun, isn't it?)and came up with a solution that works for you. I don't have the option of a local loft, so will have to do my shopping on the net (a good winter project). As for the cost, I'd say if it increases your enjoyment of the boat, it's worth it! A sailboat isn't like a car or a home, in other words it's not a necessity. We sail for fun! From my perspective, spending a few bucks maintaining and upgrading these "good old boats" is a good investment, especially when you consider the price of new boats. I am glad to hear your new sails improved the performance of your boat. I have become a little discouraged trying to keep up with slightly bigger boats that I sail with regularly, especially in light air. I am hoping new sails will help. It will certainly be cheaper than buying a bigger boat!
Hi Mike, Thanks for the information. Sounds like you did your homework before purchasing new sails (that's half the fun, isn't it?)and came up with a solution that works for you. I don't have the option of a local loft, so will have to do my shopping on the net (a good winter project). As for the cost, I'd say if it increases your enjoyment of the boat, it's worth it! A sailboat isn't like a car or a home, in other words it's not a necessity. We sail for fun! From my perspective, spending a few bucks maintaining and upgrading these "good old boats" is a good investment, especially when you consider the price of new boats. I am glad to hear your new sails improved the performance of your boat. I have become a little discouraged trying to keep up with slightly bigger boats that I sail with regularly, especially in light air. I am hoping new sails will help. It will certainly be cheaper than buying a bigger boat!
New Main!
I purchased my O'Day 22, but the main that came with it was from another boat. After spending several weeks looking for bargains on the internet, and all of the sail lofts that sell used sails, I decided to purchase a new one. After researching my needs, and the needs of my very shallow pocket, I decided to purchase one form Atlantic Sail Traders of Sarasota, FL. With a cunnigham, two sets of reef points, a sail bag, slugs on the luff and rope on the foot,I paid $540.00 for the sail. It is of 7 oz dacron, tripple re-inforced corners, four batten pockets - including the battens - and a set of ten tells. It is is the best shaped sail I have ever owned. For financial reasons, I chose not to put any insignias or numbers. That would have added another $60.00. I do an awful lot of single handling out of Port Everglades in the coastal waters around Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood. The wind can kick up a bit, so I chose a heavier sail cloth. But, I probably would never go with a cloth much lighter then 5.4 or even 6 oz. That is a personal preference, but I rather muscle a sail then have it blow out in a 20 knot breeze. As far as I know, Atlantic Sail Traders makes all of their sails in house. Betty, the owners wife works late at night, because I exchanged e-mails with her at 2:00 am several times. They are the absolutely great and their product is great! Like I said, it is the best sail I have ever had on any of my boats. I would highly recomend them. Paul "Fine as Frog's Hair" Hollywood, FL
I purchased my O'Day 22, but the main that came with it was from another boat. After spending several weeks looking for bargains on the internet, and all of the sail lofts that sell used sails, I decided to purchase a new one. After researching my needs, and the needs of my very shallow pocket, I decided to purchase one form Atlantic Sail Traders of Sarasota, FL. With a cunnigham, two sets of reef points, a sail bag, slugs on the luff and rope on the foot,I paid $540.00 for the sail. It is of 7 oz dacron, tripple re-inforced corners, four batten pockets - including the battens - and a set of ten tells. It is is the best shaped sail I have ever owned. For financial reasons, I chose not to put any insignias or numbers. That would have added another $60.00. I do an awful lot of single handling out of Port Everglades in the coastal waters around Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood. The wind can kick up a bit, so I chose a heavier sail cloth. But, I probably would never go with a cloth much lighter then 5.4 or even 6 oz. That is a personal preference, but I rather muscle a sail then have it blow out in a 20 knot breeze. As far as I know, Atlantic Sail Traders makes all of their sails in house. Betty, the owners wife works late at night, because I exchanged e-mails with her at 2:00 am several times. They are the absolutely great and their product is great! Like I said, it is the best sail I have ever had on any of my boats. I would highly recomend them. Paul "Fine as Frog's Hair" Hollywood, FL
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