Replace Main or Jib first

[SailingCal21]

I have a 1981 O’Day 34. Thinking that the sails are original. I’ve had her since 2006.

This is probably a “depends” answer. The fabric on both sails is in good shape.

Assuming that both need replacing, which should I replace first in terms of having the most bang for the buck?

 

[dlochner]

Mainsail. An old mainsail causes more heeling and does not go to weather as well a new sail. It is not just the conditions of the cloth, it is the shape of the sail. As sails are used the cloth stretches with the sail becoming baggy. It is the bagginess that affects sail trim and induces more heel.

 

[Davidasailor26]

If your primary goal is to reduce weather helm and heeling then I agree with Dave the main would be my first choice. If weather helm and heeling aren’t a big problem now but you’d like to point higher I’d go with the headsail first. The O’Day is a masthead rig, so the headsail is more of the boat’s power.

 

[SailingCal21]

Thanks for the replies. I was leaning more toward the headsail as the first to replace. Weather helm and heeling are not too big of a problem.

 

[garymalmgren]

RE: he most bang for the buck?

Try geting quotes for individual sails and then ask for a discount for ordering two at the same time.
ya never know!

gary

 

[jssailem]

As @Davidasailor26 states, your boat is a mast head rig. The head sail is the primary engine. Looking at the Sail plan for your boat, the image here shows multiple size head sail options were envisioned. Today many owners only want to spend the least amount of money possible on sails. This generates a solution known as a rolling furler. One sail that you can adjust the head sail to provide multiple sized foresails.

The fabric on both sails is in good shape.

I take your word for this. If the sails are original and they have been well used (exposed to UV and marine weather conditions) I would suspect they are no longer stiff. Your decision to repace them is smart.

I would replace the headsail first.

I would clean, inspect and refurbish the furler. You can trim the headsail to change the effect of weather/lee helm on your boat until you get your new main sail. For cruising this would give you optimum bang for your boat buck. Once you bite the bullet on the head sail you will likely be doing the main shortly to follow.

If you are doing more than light cruising (i.e. racing) then both sails will have an impact on your boats performance and may reward you with improoved standing on the leader board. (Think about the golfer that decides to spend the money for putting lessons and suddenly finds himeself finishing in the top ten)

 

[FastOlson]

Given the age of the OEM (?) sails, I would approach your sailmaker with a request for the winter discount for two new sails. Otherwise it is kinda like overhauling a four cylinder engine, two bores at a time (!),
My recent last sail of this season was on a 36 footer, after helping the owner bend on a new dacron main and genoa. Pointed very high and was an absolute delight to sail. He was SO pleased.
Old sails get baggy and many sailors do not really notice the slow degradation in shape, over time. New sails are a total 100% eyeopener.
Trite saying or not, it will seem like sailing a new boat.

And, do Not get side tracked by any introduction of "racing" into the discussion. It's all about sailing efficiently. Racing is just sailing, but with course waypoints preset and the presence to other distracted boaters to try not to collide with!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Most likely you have more sail controls on the mainsail to mediate an older, baggier shape. Plus, the headsail is your engine on a masthead rig. Choose the headsail. You may want to upgrade with tri-radial construction and/or improved sail cloth.

I agree with the notion to replace both. Consider an upgrade in construction and sail cloth for the headsail first, then a standard cross cut dacron main.