My original 1979 mainsail is coming to an end of life point. Three more new holes opening up and stretched out material around the tack that no tensioning of luff or foot will firm up makes me think it's time to start looking for a new main. I have come across a used main that is in truly outstanding condition -looks like it has never been used.
The overall sail area is about equal, but the "new" sail has a longer luff and shorter foot. I can purchase this sail for about half of what building a new sail of equal construction would cost me (this pleases the admiral greatly). The new sail is described as follows:
MAIN, 6.5 OZ DACRON BY BOHNDELL. 7/8" NYLON FLAT INTERNAL SLIDES WEBBED TO GROMMETS ON COVERED ROPE LUFF. LOOSE FOOTED. LEECH LINE. ROWS OF REEFS UP 4' AND 8'. TAKES 4 STANDARD BATTENS, NOT INCLUDED
It has a luff of 32' 6" and a foot of 11' 6" and a leech of 34' 3"
My original sail is about the same weight, has a bolt rope foot, not loose, and a luff of 31' 4" and a foot of 12' 3" (not sure of leech) - about the same area, just a little shorter/squatter.
My use is basically day/weekend cruising on the Chesapeake. I sail as much as possible, so I will go out when it's blowing 5-10, and it really turns out to be 2-3, and I also look forward to the spring and fall days where it blows a solid 20 and gusts up another 5 or so routinely. I'd like to possibly do some limited coastal cruising - a trip around the DELMARVA penninsual seems too hard to resist.
So, for half the cost of new, in basically new condition, and yes, price is an object, does this sound good? -- but If it's not going to work properly, I don't want a false economy that has me looking for a replacement in a few seasons.
I've attached a picture of the two sails hoisted together, and you can see in the silhouette the leech on each crossing paths fairly well. Then two pictures of the sail on it's own. Note that the luff is not attached to the mast, and the battens are out, so it's not presenting itself 100% in the pictures.
Any thoughts appreciated, and I fully realize this might get into the highly objective area and I have to make the ultimate choice etc....
Thanks to all in advance.
The overall sail area is about equal, but the "new" sail has a longer luff and shorter foot. I can purchase this sail for about half of what building a new sail of equal construction would cost me (this pleases the admiral greatly). The new sail is described as follows:
MAIN, 6.5 OZ DACRON BY BOHNDELL. 7/8" NYLON FLAT INTERNAL SLIDES WEBBED TO GROMMETS ON COVERED ROPE LUFF. LOOSE FOOTED. LEECH LINE. ROWS OF REEFS UP 4' AND 8'. TAKES 4 STANDARD BATTENS, NOT INCLUDED
It has a luff of 32' 6" and a foot of 11' 6" and a leech of 34' 3"
My original sail is about the same weight, has a bolt rope foot, not loose, and a luff of 31' 4" and a foot of 12' 3" (not sure of leech) - about the same area, just a little shorter/squatter.
My use is basically day/weekend cruising on the Chesapeake. I sail as much as possible, so I will go out when it's blowing 5-10, and it really turns out to be 2-3, and I also look forward to the spring and fall days where it blows a solid 20 and gusts up another 5 or so routinely. I'd like to possibly do some limited coastal cruising - a trip around the DELMARVA penninsual seems too hard to resist.
So, for half the cost of new, in basically new condition, and yes, price is an object, does this sound good? -- but If it's not going to work properly, I don't want a false economy that has me looking for a replacement in a few seasons.
I've attached a picture of the two sails hoisted together, and you can see in the silhouette the leech on each crossing paths fairly well. Then two pictures of the sail on it's own. Note that the luff is not attached to the mast, and the battens are out, so it's not presenting itself 100% in the pictures.
Any thoughts appreciated, and I fully realize this might get into the highly objective area and I have to make the ultimate choice etc....
Thanks to all in advance.
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