Time For A Diaper Change

[Ben Allen]

I recently took my mainsail to a sail loft in Pensacola, FL. to have it looked over and make a few repairs. What I was told was not what I wanted to hear, the sail was to old, worn out, brittle and in reality, not worth spending money on for repairs. After getting some quotes from sailmakers for a new full batten mainsail for an O'Day 26, ($1,100 U.S.) I decided to take a different. Talked with the folks at Sailrite and ordered a kit from them, it should arrive tomorrow. I hope that I'm not bitting off more than I can chew with this, we have an older sewing machine that I have used to make repairs on a sail cover, sewing through several layers of Sunbrella material.Has anyone out there put together a sail kit from Sailrite before. If not, I'll let you know how this one goes.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O'Day 26

 

[Josh]

Hmmm...

Did you take the sail to others for their opinion? Mine still has the original sails, and I took them in this fall. The sail maker told me they were fine. A little stretched so no good for racing, but fine for cruising. Mine are the original sails for a 79.The use probably hasn't been as heavy on mine as yours, but is it possible that they either didn't want to deal with the hassle of the old sails, or were just trying to get you to spend 1000 bucks instead of 100?Josh

 

[Ben Allen]

I Had A Feeling.....

That they were blown. When I was taking it off the boom the last time, the leech tore about 6" with very little effort. This sail had seen a lot of "Sun" time at the Gulf Coast before I purchased it on my previous boat. This sail loft has a good reputation and even made my sail originally, they estimated that it was at least 20 years old.Ben

 

[Ben Allen]

Thanks To All

Terry,I'm sure that we're talking about the same sail loft, Schurr Sails, and yes they make a fantastic sail, my last main was made by them. Being you typical sailor, (cheap, I am trying to cut cost wherever possible. I am currently about halfway through making my main sail from a Sailrite kit. While this is really labor intinsive, it has been really fun and a whole new experience for me. You get to know what makes a sail tick if and when you ever need to make emergency repairs. I have also been in contact with Eric Jon with some of his tips and tricks. I'll post the finished product in a week or two and let you know how it turns out.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O'Day 26