- Status
Try reconditioning
Russell, There was a post a few months back about this topic. Everyone that has used them speaks highly of Sail Care reconditioning. I have a 1994 23.5 and they quoted me $120 for the basic reconditioning not including any repairs of my main. Unless your sails are completely shot, you could get them reconditioned for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
Russell, There was a post a few months back about this topic. Everyone that has used them speaks highly of Sail Care reconditioning. I have a 1994 23.5 and they quoted me $120 for the basic reconditioning not including any repairs of my main. Unless your sails are completely shot, you could get them reconditioned for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
But be Careful
If you send them now, you may not get them back until July. I had mine done 2 years ago by SailCare. I'm very pleased. I set them during December. They told me themselves that the longer I waited, the later I'd get them back. They can only run at a certain capacity before they get backlogged.
If you send them now, you may not get them back until July. I had mine done 2 years ago by SailCare. I'm very pleased. I set them during December. They told me themselves that the longer I waited, the later I'd get them back. They can only run at a certain capacity before they get backlogged.
Wait till winter (next)...and..
send them to SailRite in PA. They do a SUPBERB job of making sails look like new again. Mine (Hunter 25.5) cost about $300 and was well worth it. If you send them now, you wont get them back until summer...My sails are 18 years old(but in good shape) and they made them look like new sail.
send them to SailRite in PA. They do a SUPBERB job of making sails look like new again. Mine (Hunter 25.5) cost about $300 and was well worth it. If you send them now, you wont get them back until summer...My sails are 18 years old(but in good shape) and they made them look like new sail.
Amen to Sail Care
I had them do my sails (eight years old). They came back like new both jib & main for Hunter 19 for a little over $200. I was very happy with their work.
I had them do my sails (eight years old). They came back like new both jib & main for Hunter 19 for a little over $200. I was very happy with their work.
6-8 Weeks for Sail Care
I procrastinated and didn't get them in until last week. They told me 6-8 weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Again, I think the general consensus is the product from Sail Care is very good.
I procrastinated and didn't get them in until last week. They told me 6-8 weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Again, I think the general consensus is the product from Sail Care is very good.Look Tired = Are Tired ?
My experience with Sail Care is that the sails come back looking like new. Excellent work and process. The downside, 10 year old sails are still 18 years old. Unless you have them recut etc. no doubt they still have lost their shape with normal use. I would have a sailmaker look them over to see if they are with the process. You can get a main and 135 genoa for $1200-1500. If costs you $300 for the process, then you are looking at a new set for $900-1200 differnce. I will always take function over form any day if I can afford it and plan to keep the boat.
My experience with Sail Care is that the sails come back looking like new. Excellent work and process. The downside, 10 year old sails are still 18 years old. Unless you have them recut etc. no doubt they still have lost their shape with normal use. I would have a sailmaker look them over to see if they are with the process. You can get a main and 135 genoa for $1200-1500. If costs you $300 for the process, then you are looking at a new set for $900-1200 differnce. I will always take function over form any day if I can afford it and plan to keep the boat.
sail care
Just a little note. I have a couple of folks who say they want to send the sails off for reconditioning every other year. I am not going into cost or turn a round time. I am going to mention that the cloth emersed into chemical solutions does weaken the fibers some; therefore, if the sails are sent off for reconditioning often, expect sail failure in time.
Just a little note. I have a couple of folks who say they want to send the sails off for reconditioning every other year. I am not going into cost or turn a round time. I am going to mention that the cloth emersed into chemical solutions does weaken the fibers some; therefore, if the sails are sent off for reconditioning often, expect sail failure in time.
Is sailing with rags really sailing?
This is a point that has always bugged me. I see boats well maintained. No expense spared in bottom jobs, hulls gleaming, they have every electronic do-dad known to man but when they raise their sails. Arrgggg. Their sails are older than I am! Blown out and stretched worse than my grandmothers... well never mind.. you get the point. I never understood the phrase "my sails are 10, 15, (you fill in the number) years old, but in good shape". What is the definition of "good shape"? I understand economics, new sails aren't cheap, but for me there is nothing better than a crisp set of sails. Thanks.......... I feel better now. Ted
This is a point that has always bugged me. I see boats well maintained. No expense spared in bottom jobs, hulls gleaming, they have every electronic do-dad known to man but when they raise their sails. Arrgggg. Their sails are older than I am! Blown out and stretched worse than my grandmothers... well never mind.. you get the point. I never understood the phrase "my sails are 10, 15, (you fill in the number) years old, but in good shape". What is the definition of "good shape"? I understand economics, new sails aren't cheap, but for me there is nothing better than a crisp set of sails. Thanks.......... I feel better now.
TedSail Care good and bad
While they can really clean the material and add resin to strengthen the cloth, they normally don't recut the sail. After about 100 days of sailing most sails need cleaning and many will need a recut too. If you add the cost of a recut to the cost of the cleaning and the cloth resin being added, then it may make sense to just get new sails if they have lost their old shape. Keep in mind that it's is the sailing time and conditions that wear out the sail. So some ten year old sails could be in better shape than some five year old sails.
While they can really clean the material and add resin to strengthen the cloth, they normally don't recut the sail. After about 100 days of sailing most sails need cleaning and many will need a recut too. If you add the cost of a recut to the cost of the cleaning and the cloth resin being added, then it may make sense to just get new sails if they have lost their old shape. Keep in mind that it's is the sailing time and conditions that wear out the sail. So some ten year old sails could be in better shape than some five year old sails.
new sail sources
You can find a local loft or buy them online here from Phil and get name brand doyle sails. Or you can buy them on line from Rolly Tasker if you want the cheapest thing made. Friends have the rolley tasker sails and they seem pretty well made and are just fine for cruising. I bought my main from Sabre sails and I like it a lot. I know others who have gotten sails from Somerset and are happy.
You can find a local loft or buy them online here from Phil and get name brand doyle sails. Or you can buy them on line from Rolly Tasker if you want the cheapest thing made. Friends have the rolley tasker sails and they seem pretty well made and are just fine for cruising. I bought my main from Sabre sails and I like it a lot. I know others who have gotten sails from Somerset and are happy.
- Status