Cut down genoa - worth the effort?

[pagoda]

We have an old , rather baggy genoa. Big, 140%.
It was replaced a couple of seasons ago, but I'm wondering if it might be worth cutting down to about a number 3 jib , if that's possible? I fancy having a "heavier sea friendly" headsail, but still useful. I would not really be attempting to change jibs on the run, but use it as a longer distance passage making sail.

Anybody done this sort of alteration? Is it likely to be better to just order a new number 3?

Ideas please

 

[Slow_boat]

It rather depends on the weight of the cloth and how baggy it is; A number 3 jib tends to be of fairly heavy cloth in anticipation of the winds it will be used in.

If the sail has gone baggy at the luff, moving the center of the shape aft, as usually happens, it will be a case of unpicking the stitching of the luff bolt rope off, (save the bolt rope and tape for re-use), run a line for a straight edge from head to 'new' tack position making the new luff slightly concave as necessary, to take care of any remaining bagginess. Decide on the new foot height, cut the new luff with about enough to spare to sew the bolt rope and tape onto, sew the old tack and clew patches one on top of the other at the new tack and clew, use webbing instead of a cringle on tack and clew and bob is your mothers brother.

Any half decent domestic sewing machine will do it. Use 100 size needles ans proper thread (Point North are very good and will advise by phone)

It will cost pennies (well, a couple of quid) and you've nothing to loose. A bit of work but in my opinion well worth the effort.

As I was told when I apprenticed as a sailmaker, all you need for alterations is a clear consience and a sharp knife!