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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

How long will unprotected sails last?

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Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2010 : 05:56:44

I'm looking at a smaller (18 foot) sailboat and one of my concerns is that the jib is lying unprotected on the deck and the top two feet of the main are exposed to the sun. How long will sails survive in that environment? I believe they have been exposed for at least two months but I couldn't find any evidence of threads weakening. I'm not sure why, but when I suggested he redo the main sail cover and take the jib below, he said he was going sailing and would take care of it later. That was three weeks ago. Perhaps that should be a warning to me about the level of proper maintenance the entire boat has had.

Ed
HisHorse
1979 SR/SK #1393
Green Cove Springs, FL

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 06:44:52

Hi Ed,

I suspect damage caused by excessive UV exposure is not visible to the naked eye.

I always thought the fairest way to price a sailboat was to evaluate the condition of the hull and the sails separately. If the boat is older and the sails are original - that could be to your advantage (these sails have exceeded their intended useful life) - and vice versa of course.

Good luck!

Edited by - OJ on 07/02/2010 09:41:16

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 08:19:24

2 years might be a concern. 2 months would not. IMHO

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3473 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 09:17:35

Ed,

I am not even sure where to start with this response....Okay, how about this:

My friend at work bought a Glocester 20. I have seen the boat twice as he has been getting it ready for sailing and then went out with him on hs shakedown cruise. First, his boat is not set up for singlehanded sailing. there are a number of things that he could improve to make setup, raising and lowering the sails easier. I think this becomes an individual type thing and I am curious as to all the the different options I suggested, which ones or diffent options he winds up incorporating. In regards to the sails, they are the cleanest sails on 1980s vintage boat I have ever seen. Maybe they were cleaned prior to his buying the boat but visually, they did not look worn....but then we went sailing. Both his main and jib were noticeably blown out. He could not do a close tack with any speed...boat would fall off. There is no topping lift and his main does not have sail slides. He basically has to thread up his main each time he goes sailing and the boom is in the cockpit until the main gets raised.

When buying a boat, my shields start to go up when I see things that indicate a boat is not well maintained. But I am probably less concerned over the way an individual configures/sets up his boat as long as no significant deficiencies exist. In the case of sails, any dacron sail that is say 10+ years old, the fact is that it may look fine but in sailing the boat, a look toward how stretched/blown out would at least give me an inkling if sail replacement in near future was likely. The condition of the outboard is another big ticket item that I may have to plan for replacement if it in anyway seems finicky and getting on in years. Though, in the cae of my friend that bought the Glocester, the 2 stroke did not work but after he cleaned it up a bit, it now runs flawlessly.

So, PO does not store his sails....but what about the hull, any noticeable leaks/mildew areas inside. Centerboard ? Keel issues. If the sail is old and you want to go with a furling rig...I would consider buying a new sail anyway. You indicate he has part of his main exposed....any issues with you resolving that once if you were to buy the boat ? As far as warning signs regarding his prior mtn, I would look for some signs and see if confirmed. is it basically a clean boat or has lot's of rust stains, etc. Do you get an overall good feeling or have some doubts ? if some concerns...then keep looking. In this economy, there must be plenty of others to consider.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 09:30:39

There's no way of accurately predicting how long the sails will last when left uncovered, but there can be no doubt that leaving them uncovered damages them. The extent of the damage depends on numerous factors. They'll be damaged more in hot or rainy weather than in cool, dry weather. I agree with you that it says a lot about the owner's care for his boat. It sounds like he is no longer thinking about the long-term maintenance of the boat. He intends to sell it, and isn't concerned if his neglect causes damage. Any problems will be passed along to the new owner.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 09:39:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 . . . and isn't concerned if his neglect causes damage . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Exactly, there's plain old neglect and there's neglect to the point of abuse. You certainly seem to know what to look for past the sails.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 10:35:06

For the purposes of buying the boat, the sails general condition is a better gauge of their usefulness than anything. Are the batten pockets torn? All battens present? Is the bolt rope broken or frayed to the point of breaking? Are the sail slides (if any) in good shape? All present? Any rips? Seams needing sewing?

It's difficult to tell if a sail is "blown out" just by looking at it. A test sail will tell you either way. But then again, they may be good enough to last a few years if you only day sail. It's another story if you are a serious racer.

Bottom line for me is that while the total package is important, a damaged, leaking, poorly maintained hull is a show-stopper. If I really like the boat, well used hardware & running/standing rigging, and worn sails can be replaced over time.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9082 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 11:19:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ed Cassidy
 ...I believe they have been exposed for at least two months but I couldn't find any evidence of threads weakening...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">So the boat is only a few months old? ...or the sails are? I know Florida sun is nasty, but new sails should be OK after two months. Compare the seams and fabric color where you believe they were exposed to where they were less so. A visual comparison should tell the story.

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 14:46:38

Actually the boat is about 20 years old but the sails are fairly new, probably less than 3 years. My inspection included trying to pull a seam open with no luck. I couldn't break any threads. It is a Hunter 185 with a wing keel and the hull, rigging and interior is in very good shape. The old sails are down below and also look serviceable but not crisp. I'm just finding that rigging the Catalina every time we go out is too much work so we wind up going out very rarely. The mast on the Hunter is probably 20 lbs, a one person job and there are only three stays. It has a trailer and a 4hp outboard. One of the things I like about it is the transom is built for an outboard and doesn't need a bracket. I'm still formulating an offer so it's not a done deal and my wife is trying to talk me into getting a spot at the local marina. Decisions, decisions.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9082 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 15:17:22

As I've said many times to many prospective buyers, the C-25 is just not a "trailer-sailer"--it's a transportable cruiser. I'd call the C-22 about the top of the trailer-sailer category. I know there are some gorillas out there who rig, launch, retrieve, and unrig routinely for day-sails, but it'll get old quick--especially as we get older.

Take your wife up on the slip--it'll change your life! Then if you want variety in venues, buy an inexpensive, fun trailer-sailer too!

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 18:41:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...my wife is trying to talk me into getting a spot at the local marina. Decisions, decisions.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What decision?

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 19:05:30

If you're thinking about downsizing in order to sail more often vs. getting a slip for your C25, get the slip. Now, if you're thinking about adding an 18-footer to your fleet to increase your ability to truly trailer and sail at smaller venues, buy it. However, a smaller boat in big water could easily result in the same sense of frustration because you may be limited as to when you can sail her.

Try a slip for a season before downsizing.

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