I am looking into buying a used main for my boat. the j24 has pretty much the same I & P measurement and there are a boatload of them out there. I just need it for a few seasons before i can step up and get a new one ( too many other items needing to be fixed first!) what are your thoughts about this?
used mainsail
- Thread starter markv15343
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Depends on the condition and price
Can get good buys on used sails if the condition and price are right. Racers tend to change sails on a regular basis, but some of them are worn out in one or two seasons. You will want a dacron sail that hasn't been abused or gotten out of shape. Try it before you buy it.
Can get good buys on used sails if the condition and price are right. Racers tend to change sails on a regular basis, but some of them are worn out in one or two seasons. You will want a dacron sail that hasn't been abused or gotten out of shape. Try it before you buy it.
Used Sails
I've bought a number of used sails over the years and they have generally been good bargains. Most used sail brokers will let you return a sail for almost any reason as long as you haven't used or damaged it. Measuring for a main is much more complicated than for a headsail as you've got to be very accurate measuring both the foot and luff, as well as how the sail attaches to the boom and mast. I suggest you read some of the descriptions of used sails that places like Bacons, Atlantic Sail Traders, Masthead, etc., post on their web sites to get an idea of the rating systems used.
I've bought a number of used sails over the years and they have generally been good bargains. Most used sail brokers will let you return a sail for almost any reason as long as you haven't used or damaged it. Measuring for a main is much more complicated than for a headsail as you've got to be very accurate measuring both the foot and luff, as well as how the sail attaches to the boom and mast. I suggest you read some of the descriptions of used sails that places like Bacons, Atlantic Sail Traders, Masthead, etc., post on their web sites to get an idea of the rating systems used.
J 24 sail
A J 24 is a fractionally rigged boat, and requires a lot of attention payed to mast prebend to achieve proper sail shape. Mains for these boats are therefore cut for this type of mast tuning. Assuming your boat is masthead rigged, you will never get a proper sail shape with a straight up and down mast, whether or not all the luff, foot, and leech measurements seem to match. With a nonbendable mast, the sail will likely be far too full, with a severely hooked leech, I would guess.
A J 24 is a fractionally rigged boat, and requires a lot of attention payed to mast prebend to achieve proper sail shape. Mains for these boats are therefore cut for this type of mast tuning. Assuming your boat is masthead rigged, you will never get a proper sail shape with a straight up and down mast, whether or not all the luff, foot, and leech measurements seem to match. With a nonbendable mast, the sail will likely be far too full, with a severely hooked leech, I would guess.
more on used sails
rather than buy a used sail and spending additional money to cut it down to size I would ask you to consider a inexpensive OEM replacement such as offered by some online discount sailmakers. Do not confuse these sails with Doyle, North, Quantumm etc. That's an entirely different level of sail that I would recommend if your motivation were different. Follow the link provided to find out what an OEM replacement mainsail might cost for your boat. For instance, at the thesailwarehouse.com, a replacement OEM mainsail for my C27 standard with 1 reef pt and standard battens runs $650. the higher quality offshore type sail runs 1225. I don't think I would buy a used racing sail that requires considerable recutting for a decent fit when I could buy a basic, brand new one for $650. Just a thought.
rather than buy a used sail and spending additional money to cut it down to size I would ask you to consider a inexpensive OEM replacement such as offered by some online discount sailmakers. Do not confuse these sails with Doyle, North, Quantumm etc. That's an entirely different level of sail that I would recommend if your motivation were different. Follow the link provided to find out what an OEM replacement mainsail might cost for your boat. For instance, at the thesailwarehouse.com, a replacement OEM mainsail for my C27 standard with 1 reef pt and standard battens runs $650. the higher quality offshore type sail runs 1225. I don't think I would buy a used racing sail that requires considerable recutting for a decent fit when I could buy a basic, brand new one for $650. Just a thought.
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