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condition of sail

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Johnnybob
1st Mate

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32 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/07/2011 : 17:06:10

What is a typical lifespan of a sail? I know there are many variables. Use,winds care, etc. Is it possible for a 13 year old main sail to have several more years of good service? I hear about sails being blown out. But I don't know how to recognize this condition. Is it simply bellowed out in the middle instead of flat. Any tips on what to look for? Can a blown out sail be reshaped by a sail maker economically?
Thanks
John

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2011 : 19:38:50

Yes.

Blown out sails means the main portion of the sail just above the boom is stretched out (bellowed). My boat is an '89 and I'm still using the original main and up until earlier this summer when I added roller furling I was using the original 110 and 150 headsails. The main is blown out, the headsails are in amazingly good condition with almost no stretch in them.

From what I understand my boat sat unused for some period of time before the PO purchased and cleaned it up. This may account for the sails being in somewhat better condition than a boat of the same vintage that has been sailed regularly over it's entire life.

DaveR on this forum replaced his original '89 main this summer and said there was a big improvement in the way the boat sailed.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2011 : 04:03:58

The lifespan of a sail depends on the quality of sailcloth used. Cheap sailcloth can stretch out of shape in a few years. Good sailcloth can last for 25 years of weekend, seasonal sailing, and still perform reasonably well.

After 20+ years, I bought a new mainsail and 150 to replace my old North racing sails, but continued to use my old North 150 for racing because it was still a much better sail than the new one. It had a more powerful shape.

A good sailmaker can measure a sail and tell you whether it is out of shape. The only way I can tell is by comparing it's performance with another boat. It won't point as well as it should.

Old sails can be recut and restitched, but I wouldn't recommend it. Good sails make a world of difference in how a boat performs. We all have to do what our personal finances dictate, but, IMO, recutting sails is a stop-gap measure. It will only delay the inevitable need to replace an old sail. If practicable, it's better to spend your money on a new sail than on fixing an old sail to last a short while, and still have to buy a new sail.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2011 : 07:53:29

Send your sail to Sail Care for cleaning/refurbishing and an assessment of it's usefulness. If it's not worth refurbishing, they will tell you when they call with the estimate. Should be about 1/3 the cost of a new sail and it will give you several more years of use before replacement. I've sent my main to them twice, once when we bought the boat 5 years ago and again last winter. It's probably blown out but works well for weekend cruising and occasional beer can club racing.

http://www.sailcare.com/

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/09/2011 07:55:57

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.