Time to say good-bye?

[Wright Ellis]

This relates somewhat to Mark's post about ols sails.While I hve been sailing off and on for many years, I now own a boat for the first time. It is a 1987 26.5. Aside from performance issues, since I don't race, how can a newby owner such as I judge when a mainsail has just about reached its life's end?(By the way, I didn't have this problem with my jib. It tore in a summer squall. My brand-new Doyle jib I purchased through this website is performing wonderfully.)

 

[Warren M.]

Sails

IMHO, it's usually not too hard to figure out when your main (or any other sail) has reached the end of its natural life. The sail shape of your main will tell you a lot. Can you, for example, flatten it out when beating up wind in a blow? Or does the sail still billow out indicating it's out of shape? Beyond shape, feel the material. Is it crisp and stiff or soft like an old flannel shirt? HOw easy, or difficult, is it to poke a pin hole in the material? These are, of course, subjective indicators. If you really want to know the "whole truth" about your sail, take it to a reputable sail loft and ask them to evaluate it. The the time to replace your main is sort of like the old adage about reefing: the time to do it is when you first think it needs to be done....

 

[Bob Early]

When the cost of sail repairs exceed . . .

I based my 75% of my decision on the 'cost of repair' factors. 5 years ago it cost my son $150 to wash and repair; 3 years it cost me close to $300 to wash and repair by North Sails(both sails, Hunter 27). Two years ago, Doyle in Padanaram estimated close to $600 to wash and repair, (no guarantees on the repairs), so I replaced both the main and the genny. Last summer with two new sails it felt like I had a new boat. I sail mostly in Buzzards and difference was astounding (the old sails were about 20 - 25 years old).Big difference in heel also, since it wasn't so baggy (excessive draft). Now all I gotta do is learn how to use 'em properly! < g >As an aside, and no plug for Doyle (who did make them). When I tried to find "discount sails", I had a major problem with the 'canned' one size fits most. It was the Doyle sailmaker who found out through research that my boat didn't have a common size, and the estimate was on par with online custom sails.Bob