Jackdaw,I am SO glad you are not using that mainsail! ;^)
And you are right, you can spend a lot less money if you by used sails. The issue I have with used sails is, why did someone sell them'? In 95% of the cases, it is because it was used up. The cloth MIGHT be in good shape, but the shape is shot. So you end up spending 1/3 the cost of new to get 1/3 of the performance. Its really not a bargain. I've said it before, Life's to short to sail with crappy sails.
I agree completely. If it had been in the budget, I would have loved to buy new ones. I even went to my local Doyle sail loft and had them quote me, but I could not afford that route.
That being said, if you shop right, there are definitely some used bargains available. I heard stories of like new sails being bought by resellers at insurance auctions after Katrina and Sandy. Just because the boat was wrecked, doesn't mean the sails were bad. Additionally some sailors, (no one here!!) have more money than sense, and replace perfectly good sails on a regular basis, While others might drop sails off at a loft for service, and never come back to pick them up.
First thing he needs to do is find out the deal on the boat, and only then should he worry about what additional expenses there may be to get her sailing again.