Used spinnaker?

[ChrisS]

I'd like to add a symmetrical spinnaker to my sailing capabilities, and I see some used ones on the market that will fit. Do spinnakers lose their shape as drastically as mains and jibs, or is dropping $500 on a used sail worthwhile, versus a new one costing $2000? I will be using this for cruising, and casual racing.

 

[Seth]

Maybe, maybe not

As with any used anything, it all depends on how good the sail was to begin with, and how much it may have been used/abused. You could get very lucky and find one which "was only driven around town by my grandmother", or it will be thrashed.

Poke around-if you find one which is interesting, ask the questions:
1). Was it made by a major sailmaker (if so it will likely be better designed with better materials)?
2). How was it used and how often?

If it was heavily used, or raced a lot, it is probably not worth $100. If it was barely used and stored in a dry place, it may be well be a good deal.

Good luck and happy new year!

 

[SurabyaKid]

Seth offers good advice about asking questions and looking at the sailmaker.

I have bought two used spinnakers off of EBay...symetrical and assymetrical for about $300 each. Both were in good shape, but not out of the bag new. My thinking in buying used was to to start with these to sort out the rigging & handling techniques and then move to newer sails rather than run a risk of damaging expensive new sails while sorting everything out.

Pat