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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Sail Decision - Condition/Repair or replace?

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/28/2009 : 17:32:41

I sent our 135 furler genny to Sail Care. Just got a quote from them saying that the sail has "extreme sun damage on the back edge." They propose to "overlay sunband edge PVC" but will not warranty it, presumably due to the sun damage. Total estimate for conditioning and repair is $422. The sail is 10 years old.

A new 135 from Catalina Direct (Ullman offshore) is $886. I have bought from them before and was very happy with the sails. New 135 includes the furling cover.

I am leaning towards skipping the Sail Care and just using the sail until it comes apart and then buying a new one.

Thoughts??

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2009 : 17:55:41

Look at the cost per year of sail use. A excellent high modulus Dacron sail will not cost $400 per year.

Edited by - on

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2009 : 17:59:03

I usually use the rule - if repairing something costs one half of replacing it - I go with the replacing it. This excludes big ticket items like a house.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2009 : 21:28:11

No brainer. Use your current sail and keep an eye out for a good deal on a new or used sail. Sun damage is a relative term. Not a big fan of Sail Care's opinions.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2009 : 22:06:00

The Sailwarehouse: OEM replacement 135 furling genoa for C-250 is $695. National Sail Supply will be similar. Both sell Rolly Tasker brand sails.

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2009 : 07:58:11

For that price (either the Ullman or the TSW), it's a no-brainer to *replace* the sail. That's less than 1/2 what I pay for new sails...

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2009 : 08:16:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten
 No brainer. Use your current sail and keep an eye out for a good deal on a new or used sail. Sun damage is a relative term. Not a big fan of Sail Care's opinions.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ditto . . . you can often do well at boat shows - especially in this economy.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1795 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2009 : 13:56:28

Based on the quote to repair, I would replace, not repair. That said, if you get a good quote from National Sail or the likes, call Ullman Ventura (they supply CD & Catalina yachts) and talk with Sven -- I told him what I was looking for and shared pricing. He came in at just about the same price as National. I am VERY happy with the sails and he has been a great resource for advise as well.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2009 : 14:24:26

I would get the new one now but keep the old one on the boat until you blow it out. This way you got the most mileage from the sail that you could. You will never lose any sailing time waiting for a new sail to arrive and the new sail will cost less today than say 2-3 years from now. You can't lose.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2009 : 17:27:55

Coincidentally, winter is a great time to buy a sail, because sail lofts aren't as busy in the winter, and sailmakers usually offer discounts.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5411 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2009 : 20:15:06

I'd like to get my sails cleaned, "pressed" and repaired as needed.
I assume this is the best time of year to do so? :-)
What should it cost to get it done in the New York metropolitan area?

Edited by - on

islandplanet
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2009 : 07:51:54

No amount of cleaning or "reconditioning" will restore the shape of your sails. The sail will simply be cosmetically more attractive. The shape will still be blown out if it's a typical older Dacron sail, especially an OEM sail which wasn't the best quality to begin. Save your money and put it towards new sails. Clean the old sail in your driveway.

Edited by - on

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2009 : 09:00:04

I've heard that Sailcare is actually busier in the off season, because that is when everybody wants to get their sails done. They are said to be faster in the summer time when everybody wants to be sailing. I don't know if that's true, but it makes sense.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5411 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2009 : 16:25:47

I usually wash the sails myself using a bucket of water with mild, low suds detergent and a just touch of clorox using an auto washing brush (that connects to a hose). First I wash off the slip finger, then I lay out the sail and go to work.

After washing, I rinse each sail using the same brush twice on each side to make sure I get the detergent out, then hoist the sails to allow them to dry.

It takes me several hours to complete the entire process, but the results are striking. I've got a few stitches that have come undone. Can I just restitch them myself using needle and dacron thread?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2009 : 16:59:50

Certainly! Tie off and trim the loose ends, take a few wrapping stitches around the thread and through the sail on the last 2 - 3 intact stitches, then just follow the old zigzag pattern. Use sail thread and sail or carpet needles; the thread is heavier,and the needles have rounded points to separate the threads rather than penetrating and possibly breaking individual threads in the fabric

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2009 : 17:30:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I've got a few stitches that have come undone. Can I just restitch them myself using needle and dacron thread?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You can hand-stitch it, or you can use a home, sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch, if it's more than a few stitches. That would be my preference, because, if the sail is sun damaged, the stitches are also probably weakened, and I'd re-sew it beyond just the broken stitches.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2009 : 20:40:40

Randy, I'm a fan of Sailcare and I would buy a new sail. Somewhere on their website they remark that if their repairs were to cost more than half the price of a new sail, then buy the new sail. The alternative might be to get a second opinion from a local sail shop but I'd probably be calling National Sail for a quote on a new one.

Bruce, check out the Sailcare website.

Edited by - on

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