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New main or Sailcare?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/29/2009 : 00:13:24

I'm debating between sending our main into Sailcare for some TLC, or simply buying a new sail. I can buy a new tall rig main for roughly $8-$900 or so, and I expect to pay around $350 or so to have it looked at by Sailcare.

Thoughts?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 07:15:18

Conventional foot or loose?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 08:11:53

Assuming the sail is original from 1997, that's a tough call on whether to spend 40% the cost of a new sail to refurbish a 13-14 year old sail to get how many more years out of it? I'd be inclined to sell it for what you can get ($100.00) and put it towards a new sail.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 10:11:59

I realized that my mainsail was about 10 calendar years old when I took it to Sailcare but that in real "boat years" it was only about 4 1/2 or 5. Here's my logic. My boat has always been a summer time only boat. That is, it has been launched in April/May and retrieved every September/October. So, at around 6 months a year for 10 years, the sails have been on it for a total of 60 or so months or 5 years. Since I've had it for the last three years, the sails haven't been driven hard 'cuz I'm a fair weather sailor. So, it made sense for me to have it cleaned rather than replaced.

Sailcare will inspect the sail and provide an estimate before cleaning. If you want, you could just have it cleaned without the logo and numbers being sewn on which will save around $75-$100. They'll come off in the cleaning process. I had them replace my slugs at $9/slug but, if you don't need new ones or if your handy with a sailmaker's needle, you could sew new ones on yourself and save a lot. Assuming there is no damage to the sail, there shouldn't be any repair costs. So, the cleaning cost is around 85 cents/sq ft (I think but check that). For a tall rig that's less than $150 I'd guess. Then there's the cost of shipping.

If you actually use your sail 12 months a year and you think there's significant wear, I'd agree with Don but, if for 12 years you've been a part-time sailor like me, Sailcare might be the better choice.

Edited by - John Russell on 11/29/2009 10:13:53

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 12:15:01

Thanks for the responses guys. I think the sail's in pretty decent shape, and it's probably original with a conventional foot. Dave, why did you ask about the foot?

I'm leaning towards Sailcare, for a lot of the reasons John listed. We don't sail as often as I'd like (and hardly at all this season). The sail's kept inside the cabin when it's out of the marina, and covered with it's sail cover any other time than sailing. I'd probably have all my sail slugs replaced, as well as the insignia & numbers put back on. It might be worth it just to have them take a look at the sail to tell me what they think. At worst I'm out the shipping charges.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 12:47:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 ...with a conventional foot. Dave, why did you ask about the foot?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Because I'd like to have had a loose-footed main, so that would have been a factor weighing on the side of a new sail. That said, I had Passage's sails checked out and cleaned by a local loft a few years ago when they were probably 6-7 years old. If I still had her, I might have been replacing both sails about now--the Dacron sun strip on the roller-genny was deteriorating and it would have cost the majority of a new sail to put on a new strip.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/29/2009 12:50:14

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 18:12:00

David, I'm having the same debate. I like John's logic that our boats are really only used 6 months of the year maximum. I'm thinking I'll send one sail this year and one next to spread out the cost. People who use SailCare seem to be happy with the results.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 18:31:40

Wonder if they'd offer us a deal if we got a few of us together to get sails looked at.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2009 : 09:06:44

Coincidentally, I got the following e-mail from Sailcare today:

Time is Running Out ...
Sail Care's Annual Fall 15% Discount
Cleaning Special ends December 15th!

Your chance to save 15% on sail cleaning and restoration
ends December 15th - NO EXCEPTIONS!

If you've already sent us your sails, thanks for your business! But if you haven't done it yet,
now is the time to take action. As always, this is the only cleaning special we will run all year.

Just print and send this form along with your sails:
http://www.sailcare.com/printablesailcleaningform.htm

If you need information on how to fold and send your sails,
just click the following link for simple, easy-to-follow directions:
http://www.sailcare.com/foldsend.shtml

Also continue to check out our Web site (http://www.sailcare.com)
as we continue to add new products and items throughout the year.

Don't wait - act now and take advantage
of this great money-saving special!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2009 : 09:44:20

Usually Dacron sails can be used for many , many more years after their performance degrades until wear issues drive a person to finally replace the sails. The issue then becomes one of how much functionally is left in the sails performace-wise. In my case, my 1989 original sails were blown out. I could tell mainly when tacking close to the wind and I could not point as high as other sailboats. I do not race but I still did not like the fact that I could not sail as close to the wind as should be possible. The sails had stretched but did not show noticeable wear except for a section of the sail cover on my furling rigged genoa. I decided to get new sails and I went high end as far as sail cloth to minimize stretching.

Dacron sails supposedly will lose some of their shape in just a short time - something like 4 years. So, after 10 years plus, there is definite stretching of the matl. But for most purposes, the old sails will do fine if you are not that picky when tacking close to the wind. Sailing downwind or for that matter any tacking other than close to the wind, the sails will seem fine. Those that race, then the degree of stretch becomes a more important factor and then I would not recommend cleaning the sails but replace them when the sails get to be 10-15 years or older. I guess I just wanted to mention that Dacron sails hold up to wear pretty good but it is the degree of stretch and how much that is noticeable to you or bothers you is the real issue.

Edited by - on

JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2009 : 10:29:52

I have a 95 wb. A few months back I bought a new mainsail from an Ebay company that had acquired some from Catalina. (good deal I might add). When I changed out the original sail with the new one, the leach end of the boom was 10 to 12 inches higher. The old sail looked fine. I had no idea it had 'blown out' that much. As mentioned earlier, the boat goes upwind much better than it did before. M.H.O. If your sails are that old, you will probably see a big difference in how the boat sails with a new main.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2009 : 14:55:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JohnMD
 I have a 95 wb. A few months back I bought a new mainsail from an Ebay company that had acquired some from Catalina. (good deal I might add). When I changed out the original sail with the new one, the leach end of the boom was 10 to 12 inches higher. The old sail looked fine. I had no idea it had 'blown out' that much. As mentioned earlier, the boat goes upwind much better than it did before. M.H.O. If your sails are that old, you will probably see a big difference in how the boat sails with a new main.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is this eBay company still selling sails?

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2009 : 15:15:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Is this eBay company still selling sails?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, do you have a link? I searched just now and didn't find anything obvious.

Edited by - delliottg on 12/01/2009 15:22:08

JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2009 : 15:52:45

Sorry, you're out of luck. It was a shipping company that got stuck for the shipping costs of some Catalina sails, so, they just kept them. It was a great deal and they sold out really fast. I found out about the sale on this site. I don't even remember the name of the place.

Edited by - on

Dave Brown
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2009 : 17:20:26

OK,
You guys talked me into it.
The main sail went in today. I'm holding you all responsible.
I've never use this Co. befor, but I'm excecting good thing now.
Dave B.
Nebr.
ps; John Russell, I have your sister ship. # 411.

___/)________________/)______________/))))_________________________
.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/11/2009 : 13:38:22

Got my quote from Sailcare today, $131 to clean & resin. Can't pass that up. Thinking about sending in our 110 as well.

What size box were you able to fit your main into?

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 12/11/2009 : 15:58:59

David, check with Sailcare, they may mail you box.
Steve A

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/11/2009 : 16:08:46

Don't think I'll have enough time before the 15th deadline so we get the 15% discount. We'll get the sail folded up either tonight or tomorrow and see how big of a box we need. I'm pretty sure the largest USPS flat rate is going to be too small.

Edited by - on

Jack Schafer
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2009 : 10:28:53

You will not be sorry you Have your sails cleaned, you will not believe they are the same sails. Sail care is a great company!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2009 : 13:32:13

I'm quite looking forward to having them done. I pulled the sail & boom out of the boat this morning (in 18° weather). I started trying to remove the sail from the boom, but it was so cold in there even with my little Coleman heater going that I had no dexterity. I gave up and brought the whole thing inside to work on it there. Took about 20 minutes to remove all the reefing lines, vang, main sheet, battens, etc. I had to go into work, so I left the actual reef lines (the ones through the sails, not the jiffy reefing lines) to Rita to do. She's finished those now, so now all we have to do is get it folded tonight. Then we'll figure out how big of a box we need, get it packed up, and as long as it's in the mail by the 15th, we still get the discount.

We should probably pack up our 110 as well. It's the one we use the most.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2009 : 20:42:22

We sent our 130 in last week. Wish I knew that all it needed was a 12/15 postmark. We paid extra to ship it fast. We had a box lying around that fit it fine after cutting the box down a bit. Can't wait to see the results. Next year we'll send in the main.

Edited by - on

Dave Brown
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2009 : 15:51:51

To Sailcare.
$48.28 from Nebr.

_____________/)_____________/)_____________/))))________________
.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2009 : 17:21:10

We found a box at a local Staples office supply place today, 24x24x12 which is too large, but should work fine.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2009 : 08:19:20

I mailed it off yesterday, coincidentally the busiest shipping day of the year (who knew?). $25.51 at the USPS.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2009 : 08:23:33

Hope it comes back in a bigger package.

Edited by - on

willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 17:08:28

Fellow C250 owners:
I sent my main sail to Sailcare in late November. Got it back last week. Cost
about $306 for the cleaning and reconditioning. That included new numbers, insignia
and Dutchman disc repair. It came back in a smaller box!
Regards,
Will Dawson
#215 - SV Stardust

Edited by - on

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