SailCare

Ed Schenck · Jul 9, 2011

My North sail loft discouraged me from sending a sail. Something about the process shortening the sail's life. But I have read good things here over the years. I had a friend send a very old mainsail over one winter. He was very pleased with the result. It looked like new and made a huge difference in performance of his old Highlander(just like the main in my avatar).
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Sanfelice · Jul 9, 2011

Sailcare does an excellent job cleaning the sail and their process makes the sail seem like new. The issue is how old your sail is and its condition. Sailcare does not repair, recut or restich a sail as part of its cleaning quote. If your sail is original, and has had average or more use, it is probably blown out. Take a close look at it for worn batten pockets, cracked leech and other wear spots. Sailcare will make your sail look real pretty but in the long run I would opt for a new sail if you intend to keep the boat. You would be amazed at what a difference a new sail makes to your boats performance. Can't comment on the North Sails position on their process but when I had my newer main done I was pleased with the result.

BroadReach · Jul 9, 2011

I think that Sail Care only cleans Dacron sails.
The last time I called them they would not do mylar or other super materials.

Broad Reach

Steve W · Jul 10, 2011

I've used SailCare several times and I've found them to be excellent. As Broadreach said, I've only had them clean my dacron sails so I don't know about mylar. The first time I tried them I had to call them when I received my main back 'cause I thought they shipped me somebody else's brand new sail! The process does re-calendar them to an extent and, as pointed out earlier, the cleaning quote won't include repairs. They will, however, give you a quote for any repairs recommended. One time they pointed out that some stitching was shot on the sun-cover of the jib and some batten pockets had to be repaired. I authorized it and got back a perfect set of sails, albeit 8 years old...

I'd definitely recommend them if you want to get a bunch more years out of your existing canvas!

Steve

Clark · Jul 11, 2011

Unless they do recut the sail, it will not be much (if any) better performing than what you now have in hand. IOW, what you'll get back is a beautiful and clean bagged-out sail; unless you have them recut it. I don't know what they might charge for that but it will probably be ~ 1/2 of what a new one costs. With that said, they do an outstanding job with the cleaning and whatever repairs you might need.

SchwarckT · Jul 17, 2011

taichi said:
FYI - sailcare got back to me today with an estimate to do the genoa - $162 for the cleaning process & $8.50/foot to replace the sacrificial cloth on the foot/leech which brings it up to nearly $500 to "refurb" the sail - they just priced themselves right out of the business - I've been shopping and comparing and I can get a brand new genoa for the boat for $100 more. The old one is not even all that bad so I can probably even sell it on ebay.

Thanks for all the replies - If I only wanted it cleaned it is probably not a bad deal.. but their fees for repairs seem quite pricey.

I think you've made the right choice. In my experience having sails reconditioned by SailCare doesn't do much for performance compared to getting new sails and costs almost as much.
Also, if buying new sails I would avoid K-H Sails in Englewood, CO..

sesmith · Jul 17, 2011

Also check Vermont Sailing Partners near Burlington, Vt. It's a complete sail loft. Bill (the owner) has done right by us a couple of times on rigging and sail repairs for a very reasonable price. He's the 1st place I'd go for sail repair or a new sail.