When to replace vs. repair sails

Ross · Oct 19, 2008

I am still using the sails thar came with my boat when I bought her. I have resewn many places on them and I am sure that they could be much better but I don't think that new sails would be 3000 dollars better for my style of sailing. My friends have told me that new sails would be in order if I planned to cross an ocean but this year I have been lucky to cross the bay. With a good breeze I can sail faster than I can motor and I can sail to the weather, so I am not planning any purchases in the near future.

Scott On Eagles Wings · Oct 19, 2008

Very Happy with Sail Care

Send them out. Jerry will give you a call once he inspects them. I can not say enough about their service and quality of work. Our sails came back looking and performing like new.

higgs · Oct 19, 2008

18 yeas old!

If you can afford it, get new sails. Certainly, don't waste your money hoping to make a silk purse from a sows ears.

Cruising and day sailing is much more enjoyable when the boat is performing as intended. No way that will happen with 18 year old sails.

s sauer · Oct 19, 2008

Full Battened Main Sail;
You obviously have a full batened main; it seems to have a decent shape, but possibly a little too full. What's the stitching condition and is there any leech flutter or hooking of the leech from needing to tighten the leech line?

Typically 18 years is a pretty decent life; maybe this sail hasn't seen much use from a previous owner?

If you could crank in some bend in the mast with a backstay adjuster and control the depth, possibly have a sailmaker loosen that bolt rope, etc, it's worth the discussion with a decent sailmaker.

william24424 · Oct 19, 2008

Northsail Dacron Racing sail

Dacron is still best buy, although expensive by any standard. Although you don't race, you'll appreciate the improved performance, quicker passage times, and lighter/easier to handle new main. Your sail looks baggy and from your description old. The difference in performance from my 16 year old sail to new sail is beyond words, windward like Chuck Yeager, more SA/D from an extended roach, Northsail measured, designed and built a weapon. It's a good time to buy, if you can afford it, buy it.

Ross · Oct 19, 2008

Re: Northsail Dacron Racing sail

I tend to think that your sail is fairly new. It is fully battened. Perhaps some advise from a sail maker will help in setting it properly. At up to about 80 percent of hull speed sail shape is of limited importance(duck! The flames will start). Carefully cut and set sails become more important as you approach the ideal. Modern sail making art/science has come a long way in 25-30 years and good sails set by skilled men and women on carefully cared for boats will be able to show the advantages but for the rest of us who are pleased to sail 30 miles from up anchor in the morning to drinks in the evening, sails in good repair will serve very well.

Stu Jackson · Oct 19, 2008

This is one of those "it really doesn't matter what we say" threads. Find a good, qualified, trustworthy sail-maker, and if he's honest (as your research will determine) they''ll be fair and upfront with you. Sure, they want to sell sails, but if they also repair them, then you'd get a good opinion. Why? Because we can't see or touch your sail, he can and will...

I used Sailcare on our mainsail (21 years old) a few years ago, but Sailcare isn't repairing only, they re impregnate the sails. Those are two different processes and ideas.

tommays · Oct 20, 2008

The sail does not look that bad

BUT it looks like it is not fully hoisted with good halyard tension and with some cunningham tension should flatten out

davejb851 · Oct 20, 2008

Like anything that involves sailboats and the joy you get from them, expense is always a consideration. That being said:
1) It certainly wouldn't hurt to use 'Sailcare', The vast majority of the reviews come back positive, if not glowing. The cost is around 25% new (not counting high end sails), and you'll surely get back better than what you sent.
2) You're a cruiser, but that sail does look baggy. Like all things getting older, anip here, a tuck there, couldn't hurt........again costs v costs.
3) Finally, if you can afford new sails, then why not get new ones. Send the old to Sailcare as back ups.

Me, I still sailing my Oday 25 with it's original Main from 1975, but it is going out this year to see what Sailcare can do for it.........although I did just get this boat this year, so the history of the sail is unknown to me.............unfortunately I'm one of those that loves to sail, but can't afford new, especially high tech.
Ever hear of EBay?

filthy liberal scum · Oct 20, 2008

its not a matter of age!

Its a matter of use and abuse. looking at your mainsail I would guess that you don't have a Cunningham. those wrinkles in the lower 1/3 of the main are a result of two things. slight stretch of material and shrinkage of luff rope, which is a common occurrence. the stretch doesn't look that bad in the Dacron. you can get the draft back forward by having a Cunningham. I can see that the lower portion of your main doesn't have a tight luff. this is a result of the length of the luff. its nearly impossible to get a complete tight luff given the height of the mast with halyard only.
my main is older than yours and has seen a lot of use and abuse and we were still winning with it when we quit racing about 3 years ago. the trick is to get the draft forward and this can be accomplished with the simple addition of a Cunningham.

loosening the bolt rope may or may not be an inexpensive proposition. my sailmaker told me on mine that it would be an expensive item because all the luff eyes would have to be removed then ease the rope then install new eyes. he just told me i only need to tighten the cunning ham more to get the same result.

Capt. Kermie · Oct 20, 2008

I was going to replace my hank-on headsails with new ones when I bought a Schaefer Snapfurler. I went to Northsails and they advised me to save my money and simply replace the luff with a luff tape and I would be good for a few more years. (they were still in fairly good shape. They were skeptical of my mainsail (well worn) but said try and eek out a couple more seasons. Today I agree with higgs on the 'sows ear', I got one more season from the main but after seeing my freinds' newer main I have decided to get a new one. For a bit more cash I can get a much better sail with many more features than I can with a re-conditioning which may only have a very limited life span. You get what you pay for.

Warren Milberg · Oct 20, 2008

Repair or Replace

There are a number of unknown factors in knowing whether it is "worth" repairing or replacing your sail, such as condition of the sailcloth, shape of the sail, and perhaps most importantly, how you sail your boat and what you expect of it. The Bacons website can tell you how they rate the condition of the material (see www.baconsails.com), but it would probably be worth getting the advice of a trusted sailmaker to determine if your sail shape is gone or "blown out." The next question is "so what?" Sailcloth is tough stuff and even if out of shape can still do a decent job of powering your boat. Sailcare is a great service that I use frequently to clean and re-resin my sails, but they can't help much with shape. So, if you really want the best possible performance out of your boat, put your old sail up for sale on eBay and buy a new one. Or keep it for a spare. If you mostly cruise and the sail moves the boat good enough for you, send it to Sailcare and keep using it. FWIW, when I bought a new main for my H28.5 a few years ago, I was astounded at how much better my boat performed and I'm no longer a serious racer.

BARRY3684 · Oct 20, 2008

Any recomendations for a sail repair shop for minor rips and slide replacement? I see the name sailrite and sailcare listed with no location, can anyone post ph.#s, or address.

Louis · Oct 20, 2008

www.sailcare.com

I was very pleased with there repair and refinishing services.

Jeff D · Oct 20, 2008

No quick fix

Sailcare does an amazing job of reconditioning a sail but it is mostly cosmetic. They will tell you that. It will help preserve a sail and I think a good thing to do if your sail is in good shape. If your sail is stretched out it will stay stretched out. If it the thread is starting to rot, restitching is in order. Do your batten pockets need to be replaced? Unfortunatly, only you can tell if your sail works for you. I think that once you add up the costs only you can determine if it is worth getting a new sail, repairing the old or doing nothing. Shop around and see what a new one will cost.

Ross · Oct 20, 2008

Re: No quick fix

I was talking with a friend about this and her opinion is that if you can do your own repairs and if the cloth is stronger than the stitching then make the repairs but if you must pay a sailmaker to repair your sail then take the money and buy a new sail.

caguy · Oct 20, 2008

If you are in New York you have one of the largest Garment Districts in the world. You should be able to find someone to sew it for far les than a sailmaker or an upholsterer.Frank

Sam Salter · Oct 20, 2008

Re: No quick fix

I would think after 18 years they've had it!

Try pushing your finger through the fabric near the luff or leech. If it tears, it's not worth repairing. I repair sails and get a lot of tired sails that aren't worth the labour.

New sails are the best investment you could buy for your boat.
If you've never had new sails on your Catalina you will be amazed how well she sails and kick yourself for not buying them sooner.

I've just bought a new loose footed main and a 135% genoa for my C&C 26. Cost was $3,200 from a local sailmaker (I haven't got room to loft a full sail or I'd make my own) so you should be able to get a full suite for less than $4000.

Sam Salter
C&C 26 Liquorice
Ghost Lake Alberta

tommays · Oct 21, 2008

North and Doyel both have service lofts in huntington near the water

I had reefs put in both my J24 mains this year as well as a once over for 180 dollars per sail well worth it compared to 1700 dollars for a new main

North is 80 per hour for repiars and they work pretty fast and KNOW what there doing

When to replace vs. repair sails

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Jeff D

.

.

.

.