Budget sails?

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bluedragon

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I'm one of these strange individuals who doesn't think that a 140% genoa on a furler is the best thing since sliced bread, and would like to try moving down a size to a working jib for cruising this coming year. In my part of the world, the current genoa spends more of its time partly furled than fully out. Just in case this doesn't work out, I don't want to spend a fortune on this. Has anyone tried the supposed cheap sailmakers in Hong Kong, Italy, etc? Pros and cons? Any specific suggestions?
 
Go onto one of the websites for sailmakers - several have used sails at bargain prices, various conditions. I would get hold of a hanked on jib and try it out first, then order new when I was satisfied it would do the job I want. It would then be the emergency spare.
 
In my experience keep away from Hong Kong SM & James Lee, Far East Sails Hong Kong, service good.
140% is a good size, you might find with a padded luff it,s ok, less and you will be disappointed in F3 ish.
PM if you like, I am ordering in Jan.
 
Had just this problem on a Centurion 32. In the end went for a 110% furling foam luff blade jib, made by Crusader. Best sail and choice I've made. Little loss of performance in f3/4, full sail in F4/5 and 3/4 rolls in F6. I've a storm jib for windstrengths I try not to be out in! Have left the earlier 140% on shore-as you say, not satisfactory. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
That's about what I had in mind as well.

To answer a few other posts, I marked my genoa last year so I knew when it was furled to about 110% size. From a visibility, ease of tacking and not being overpowered in the gusts point-of-view it works well...and maybe if it could be modified to a foam luff it's a thought. Can't fit a hanked-on as a trial. A purpose-made working jib would probably have a full length luff and slightly shorter foot, and I don't know if I'd find anything quite right in the second-hand lists..but it's a thought.

I didn't quite understand the comment about he HK made sails. Is is the last one mentioned OK?
 
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