New sails
- Thread starter Willemvan
- Start date
While I agree that replacing your main makes the most sense have you thought about sending them to Sail Care to see what they can do? They will be honest and straightforward and can even help you out with new sails if need be.
I second that. We sent some sails in off of a smaller Hunter and I was amazed at how well they looked when they came back.
We replaced our sales last year and while new sails are really nice I'm not sure I would do it again unless I was going to keep the boat for a extended period of time.
I would send them off and see if they can freshen them up for you and get you a couple more years out of them. They might be able to work a miracle for a fraction of the cost of new sales.
Sam
I priced a full set with local,sailmakers (in Cleveland at the time), picked one on price and reputation. Then I asked him to visit my boat, and give me his opinion. Contrary to his own expectation, he said there was no contest, the main needed replacement first.
For the last 16 years since then, Greg Koski has been my sailmaker, advising me on sails, sail maintenance, and rigging. Annual winter storage and inspection are free, and repairs, when recommended have been very reasonable.
Why not talk to a local loft?
For the last 16 years since then, Greg Koski has been my sailmaker, advising me on sails, sail maintenance, and rigging. Annual winter storage and inspection are free, and repairs, when recommended have been very reasonable.
Why not talk to a local loft?
On the H 26, the mainsail is the primary as it was designed to be larger than normal for more power. That would be first priority should it need to be replaced. Since I have not seen the sail I will not comment but if it is the original I would suspect the life of the sail has reached it's maximum knowing the last H 26 was produced in 1997.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Knowing that the sail is probably original I think I will go with a new main this year. Thanks again guys.
If you have the room to work, you might consider a kit! My experience with Sailrite has been excellent. I built a new main and jib for my Sandpiper 565. Here is a link to the build thread I set up on the Sandpiper forum:
http://www.vaxxine.com/clsailboats/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=14573&fpart=1
They come pre-cut and marked so you can't hardly mess it up. Generally you don't need a fancy sewing machine either.
The cost was about half of what I could buy new for. They make great winter projects. If the boat is a 26, you will need a pretty big basement, but it's doable. I would not hesitate to do it again. Like someone mentioned, you cant beat a new set of sails!
http://www.vaxxine.com/clsailboats/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=14573&fpart=1
They come pre-cut and marked so you can't hardly mess it up. Generally you don't need a fancy sewing machine either.
The cost was about half of what I could buy new for. They make great winter projects. If the boat is a 26, you will need a pretty big basement, but it's doable. I would not hesitate to do it again. Like someone mentioned, you cant beat a new set of sails!
As a counter-point to this, I can tell you that as the sails get bigger, the job becomes MUCH harder. You have to make sure you can spread out the entire sail if you want to tape it decently. Then the sewing is hugely monotonous. If you've got the room and you know it sounds fun, then have a go. But I would never recommend this as a way for an average Joe to save a few bucks.
I have to agree with Jackdaw on this one. We considered it for our Hunter 20 and decided against it and I sew quite a bit. The savings just wasn't enough to offset the amount of work I foresaw coming my way. That said, if we ever decided to add a spinnaker I will probably sew that myself just so I can say I did, and the savings on that was enough to make it worth while on my part.
Sam
Yikes. That seems like quite a big job for a guy that can barely sew a button. Thanks for the idea though.