What mainsail will fit my boat

[IH82BL8]

Looking for a good used main for an '84 Hunter 31.

It has a 37'-4" luff and 11'-0" foot. How far outside those dimensions can I go without significantly effecting performance?

Thanks.

 

[cb32863]

Used main sails are usually blown out, which is why you can buy them used. Look in to new.

 

[kito]

If you must have a used one then search here: http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=storeframe.html
You can search by luff, foot and leach or by boat.

 

[Warren Milberg]

While some used sails may be blown out, some are not. It is pretty easy to tell when you look at, and hoist, a used sail. Fortunately, you are close to Bacons in Annapolis. They will let you look at a used sail on their inspection table, and let you hoist it on your boat to see how it looks and fits -- and you can return it in two weeks as long as it's in the same condition in which you bought it. I have bought a number of used sails from Bacons over the years and they were excellent values. I would never buy a used sail that I couldn't inspect first and hoist on my boat before the sale is final.

 

[Capt jgw]

You can only go larger if you have extra hoist or foot length, which is pretty unlikely. On my Columbia 36, they made the boom three feet longer than the foot to give the end boom sheet a better lead. It worked but looked stupid. If I was having a new sail made I would have considered lengthening the foot to fit the boom. Instead I converted to mid boom sheeting and cut the extra length off.

 

[Joe]

If you must have a used one then search here: http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=storeframe.html
You can search by luff, foot and leach or by boat.

I was not aware that this company sold used sails. Perhaps you're thinking of Atlantic Sail Traders

 

[Don Crowther]

Since you have a mast head rig (not fractional) doesn't your Jib give you most of your power?
Because you have a backstay I would think you couldn't go any larger.
I could be wrong and it wouldn't be the first time this week

 

[kito]

I was not aware that this company sold used sails. Perhaps you're thinking of Atlantic Sail Traders

Their website says they sell used sails but don't have many listed. I believe Bacon Sails is what I was thinking.

 

[IH82BL8]

You're right, I can't go any larger. My question is, how much smaller can I go without compromising performance.

 

[Sailm8]

Try Atlantic sail traders too.