sail condition, Sail Care

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Jeff Johnston

I just bought a 1984 25.5. My J measurement is 10' and the geona has a LP of about 14'5" so I guess it is about a 145 % even though the sail bag says 155. The main and genoa are Neil Pryde and there are sail numbers but no Hunter logo on the main. Are these likely the factory sails? They appear in good shape. I am planning on sending them to Sail care but before I do how do I tell if they have decent shape? Can full battens on the top be added to exhisting sails. Is it worth it. I want to achieve good sail shape.
 
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Doug Rodrigues

Expect to pay more than quoted over the phone.

Got my sails back from Sail Care awhile back. True, they looked brand-new and were nice and crispy. The extra work was excellent. But...I learned that the bare-bones advertised prices don't apply. After inspection, you will probably be quoted a price two or three times what you expected. i.e., re-enforcement of weak areas; leather around corners, etc. I feel that their advertisements should explain the probable actual costs. They don't. Comparing prices with overseas sails (what my originals are), perhaps it would have made better sense for me to save-up a few more dollars and buy new sails rather than refinish 21 year old sails. Just my opinion.........
 
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Rick

Sail Care ruined my jib...

... but your results may vary. When they call and say that they recommend reinforcing various areas that you know are in decent shape its because they know that their process is so harsh to the fabric that your sail wont survive without that reinforcement. Only a sail with like new fabric (just dirty) has a chance of coming out all right. Even then, after they boil off all the resins and later replace them with their resin the fabric wont be quite what it was. When I got my sail back it looked good (except for the 6 rips that they claimed weren't their fault) but the fabric was thinner, lighter and more porous than before. I can't believe I paid over $200 for the privilege. If they were honest they would reject all sails that were likely to be adversely affected by their process and only do the sails that were able to withstand it (like 9oz fabric or heavier). But they don’t because they would be turning down about 90% of the customers. Your loss is their gain. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.
 
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Jeff Johnston

confused about Sail Care

Now I am confused. My last boat had ten year old sails that the previous owner sent to Sail Care and they look and feel like new. I have read many comments from people who have good things to say about Sail Care. when I called them they also said that their process will restore about 75 to 80 % of what has been streached out of the sail. This all sounds good to me. has anyone had a good experience. Jeff
 
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Mike Webster

Sail Care Did Great Work

Sail Care did a great job on my 8 year old jib about 4 years ago. There were additional charges for repair work that I would have had to pay a sailmaker to do. They did a great job and added years to the life of the jib.
 
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Dave Busby

Sail Care was great for me...

Jeff, I bought my 1986 25.5 in March, and sent my main & genoa (110, both Neil Pride, and 17 years old. Sail care charged me around $380 for both and they did a fantastic job on them. I am very pleased. My sails look and feel like NEW...New sails for the 25.5 is between $800 and $1000....Good luck.
 
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Jay Kent

I've had three experiences with SailCare

and all the work was done right and came out well. I had them do my main and jib on my C-22 and both on my H-27. Also, each time I got a call explaining exactly what any extra charges would be, etc. I was told what to expect and that is exactly what I got. The third time was nothing but a reconditioning, and when I didn't hear from them, I called. Glad I did - found that no extra needed to be done to that sail. Always got them back fresh and crisp and clean. Repairs were always extremely well done. Many of my sailing friends have had theirs done, too. No complaints, only complements.
 
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Dave Royce

SailCare worked for me

I sent may sails to SailCare at the beginning of the season last year. I have owned my boat since 1996, being the boay is a 1994 I felt it was time to clean them. I also installed a CDI roller furler and they modified the head sail. When I got the sails the only had two problems, one was that the sail slug for the mail outhaul was gone. I called SailCare and they said I could send the sail back and they would install the slug or they would send me the slug. I opted for them sending me the slug. I installed the slug and all has been good. The other problem is that they put semi-permanent stickers on each sail with their logo and info, along with a serial number of my sails in their system. I did not pay maoney to let them advertise on my sail for free so I removed them. I kept the stickers in case I send them back.
 
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Ray

Ditto on Great job

for us and our Hunter 34 (1983) original sails. We couldn't believe the difference after sending them to Sail care. True we knew we needed additional work but they called me first with the cost I couldn't come near replacing with new for what Sail Care charged. Only problem you may have... don't wait too late in the beginning of the year as they get busy and it takes a long time to get them back. They will give you a date when you get them back. I sent mine in Feb/Mar and I believe it took about 6 weeks. I have nothing but good words for them.
 
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