O'Day 222: Mainsail Reconditioning

[estopa]

Hi Folks,

Wanted to get a feel for if I need a new mail or not. I was thinking of sending it out to get looked at vs buy new. It is still the original main on my '86 O'Day 222. There is some thread fraying on the batons and one small hole (1/4" size) on the lower clew of the sail with sail repair tape. I am not too familiar with sail health as some sailors refer to blown out sails.

If I were to send it out for reconditioning how much should I expect to spend? Also wondering if its worth it or just spend the $800 on a new one from D&R marine.

Just some background, the boat was mostly in fresh water lake so it wasn't abused to begin with which leads me to believe maybe spend a few dollars maybe max $300 before I say spend the additional on a new main.

So two questions:

1) Has anyone been happy with sending their sails out for reconditioning?

2) Has anyone ordered a new main from D&R? Is it the neil pryde like our OEM or just one that fits O'Day. I just researched that Neil Pryde is in Stratford, CT, next town over from me.

 

[derfus]

Yes I have. I sent my sails from my MacGregor M-25 to a company called SailCare and and they came back and looked and felt like new ones. They made several repairs after calling me and giving me a price up front. Cost a way lot less than new ones. I plan to send The sails from my new to me 28 Oday I bought this summer.

 

[RichBone]

I sent my original main to Sailcare to get it cleaned and checked out. Reasonable cost and they were a pleasure to work with.
After rebuilding and upgrading my boat since buying her in the fall of '08. I sailed her all this summer and thought the main looked pretty good. I was sailing this past September in 12 to 15 kts, single reef, broad reach. Fell off to do a gibe and head back when I got hit with a sustained 30 kts. Before getting the mail under control the top 5 to 6 sail slides snapped off. They were old and should have been replaced (they looked okay). Anyhow, while replacing the slides I started thinking about getting a new main. Just enough time left to enjoy a little more of the season. In the fall sailmakers usually have discounts to have a little more work in the winter. I checked with the local Doyle Sail Loft. Just over $900 for a new sail. Top two battens full length, two sets of reef points, draft stripe and Oday logo. And they built it in two weeks.

Top- old main
Bottom- new main

Night and day.

The old sail had lost all of the filler in the weave and felt as soft as an old bed sheet. I didn't realize it was stretching causing too much draft and overpowering. Also the luft bolt rope had stiffened and wasn't stretching like it should.

If you can afford it go for the new main. Discounts are running out and usually the sailmaker will allow you a few months to pay it off.

Check out their websites. Call around and get some prices. There should be plenty of sail lofts around your area. They all want some business for the winter.

If you decide to send to sailcare forgo the cleaning because that would wash out any remaining filler.

Rich

 

[SchwarckT]

I had the main for my 1980 O'Day 22 reconditioned by SailCare. It did improve the sail but not that much. I then got a new main from The Sailwarehouse which was a huge improvement. After that I decided that it was a better deal to just get new sails for my other boats rather than having the old ones reconditioned.

 

[Joe11688]

That's a good price for an O'Day 25 Mainsail Rich. The summer before last, Thurston Sails quoted me a price of $1170 for a new Mainsail for my 222. My friend Wayne paid about $800 and change for a Sperry Mainsail for his Seaward 22. They can come down on their prices if they really want your business. I wound up taking my Mainsail to North Sails in Portmouth RI and had it repaired. My sails are old but the material is still stiff.

 

[estopa]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I'll call around and see what I can do. Keep the comments coming. Sounds like I may just spring for a new sail.

 

[Joe11688]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I'll call around and see what I can do. Keep the comments coming. Sounds like I may just spring for a new sail.

George,
When I brought my torn Mainsail to Thurston's two years ago, the lady in the sail shop grabbed the sail at the tear and ripped it some more. Then she said, "This sail is sun rotted." If you have a torn sail and pull on it at the tear, of course it's going to rip. After that episode, I decided to take the Torn Mainsail down to North Sails and the guy in the shop tried to rip the sail in a different area of the sail with the fingers of both of his hands, pinching and pulling in different directions, and the sail didn't rip. He replaced the ripped panel and reinforced the batten pockets and I was back in business. The sail is old, but it's still thick and stiff like a new sail. The guy at Thurston Sails just wanted to sell me a new sail. I may buy a new sail some day but there's no way I'm going to pay his price.
Joe

 

[estopa]

Well come to find out after some asking around I had a friend that worked for Neil Pryde here in Stratford. WOW what a small world. Well $800 later a new sail will be coming this winter. I'll keep you posted on the details.

Also I'll be starting other threads regarding some other fixes I have planned for the winter.

 

[RichBone]

You won't regret it.

Rich

 

[estopa]

Wow Rich, I didn't realize your before and after pics. It is night and day. Funny my main looks just like your before.

 

[estopa]

Stopped by Neil Pryde today to visit my buddy Jim with the old main in tow for him to take a look. Well he confirmed that the main was pretty much worthless. I also had him take a look at the Jib. Well that one can still get me through a few more seasons.