Finding a 2nd-hand mainsail

YachtGannet

YachtGannet

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Hi
New to sailing and bought my first boat last year (an Invicta 26). It's a lovely boat but the mainsail is really on its last legs. Noticed a new rip on the leech after being out at the weekend and it's beyond repairing.

I can't afford a new one at the moment so been checking out the 2nd-hand listings but finding one is proving tricky. The measurements of the current mainsail are approx 7.8m Luff and 3.5m Foot.

Most 2nd-hand sails with a 3.5ish foot seem to have a way longer luff. I've found a couple with the right luff, but a much shorter foot (2.4m)

Would this significantly impact performance? I guess it'd still be better than my tattered mainsail, but just wondering if anyone had "downsized" significantly and could offer any pointers?

Also, the current main is a fixed foot and most I'm finding are loose-foot. Do you need a clew-slug fitted and sized to the slot for the boltrope or can it just be tied on with the outhaul?

Any help much appreciated.
 
YachtGannet said:
Hi
New to sailing and bought my first boat last year (an Invicta 26). It's a lovely boat but the mainsail is really on its last legs. Noticed a new rip on the leech after being out at the weekend and it's beyond repairing.

I can't afford a new one at the moment so been checking out the 2nd-hand listings but finding one is proving tricky. The measurements of the current mainsail are approx 7.8m Luff and 3.5m Foot.

Most 2nd-hand sails with a 3.5ish foot seem to have a way longer luff. I've found a couple with the right luff, but a much shorter foot (2.4m)

Would this significantly impact performance? I guess it'd still be better than my tattered mainsail, but just wondering if anyone had "downsized" significantly and could offer any pointers?

Also, the current main is a fixed foot and most I'm finding are loose-foot. Do you need a clew-slug fitted and sized to the slot for the boltrope or can it just be tied on with the outhaul?

Any help much appreciated.
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Assuming the roach is similar in shape, then you are talking c.30pc reduction in area.

You will be significantly slower in light winds and downwind. You may expect less weather helm, even to the extent of lee helm depending how she handles today.

Loose foot is fine, there is no load carried by the foot. You will want something to pull the clew vertically down to the boom, especially as your outfall will be rather long. A stout lashing or sailtie is fine, I have one made of webbing and velcro.
 
Congratulations on now owning an Invicta 26, great boat I owned one for over 20 years, won races and wandered down to Spai in it.
I may have a very old Invicta mainsail lying around, a bit baggy but still useable, will have a hunt around, but the real problem is distance between us to ship it. If I still have it and you want it you can have it for nothing, just the cost of getting it.
 
Further to my post I have attached a photo taken before I renewed the sails on my Invicta which just about shows the mainsail that with luck I still have in our attic.

.Dido under sail 2.jpg
 
Praxinoscope said:
Congratulations on now owning an Invicta 26, great boat I owned one for over 20 years, won races and wandered down to Spai in it.
I may have a very old Invicta mainsail lying around, a bit baggy but still useable, will have a hunt around, but the real problem is distance between us to ship it. If I still have it and you want it you can have it for nothing, just the cost of getting it.
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That'd be great thanks! Agree, they're fantastic old boats.
 
Refueler said:
Try Seateach ... now Ocean Chandlery ..... they have extensive lists of 2nd Hand sails .....
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I bought a beautiful mainsail from Ocean chandlery very cheap as they no longer want to sell used sails and are selling the few they have left cheap.
 
Found the old Invicta Main, will check Luff length with your 7.8m There was a Mk1 and Mk2 version, the Mk2 had a taller mast, which mine had, not because it was a Mk2 but because a previous owner tried going under a bridge without getting his ablations correct.
Attached a couple of photo’s of the sail taken today, there is a stain near the clew, which wasn’t there when i packed it, I think a leaf or something must have crept in when I packed it up for storage, it may come out a bit with some bleach. Photo 4.
Bolt rope for foot is OK, sliders on Luff are all there and headboard looks fine.

Invicta Main 1.jpg Invicta Main 2.jpg Invicta Main 3.jpg Invicta Main 4.jpg


Quick measurement gives luff approx 7.4m & foot approx 3m so marginally smaller than the one you have.
 
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Hmm, I have dug out the mainsail, and measurements are approx 7.40 luff and 2.50 foot.

Sorry for pics, the garden slopes a little

If you want close ups pics and more exact measurements, PM me.

QpjVbvS.jpg



7W5luxg.jpg
.
 
ve a Main and Genoa for sale. Both are by Rolly Tasker Sails and have had only one season’s use - they were the production sails that came with my Beneteau Oceanis.

Main is Luff 8.7m, Foot 3.35m, Leach 9.33m. It’s a three quarter batten design, with luff sliders, loose footed, two reef points. GRP battens.

Genoa is Luff 9.45m, Foot 4.06m, Leach 9.15m. It has a UV strip for roller furling.

These sails are in very good condition, hardly used. They can be seen at Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO7 postcode.

For sale for £450 each or £800 for the two.

PM me if interested.
 
Praxinoscope said:
Found the old Invicta Main, will check Luff length with your 7.8m There was a Mk1 and Mk2 version, the Mk2 had a taller mast, which mine had, not because it was a Mk2 but because a previous owner tried going under a bridge without getting his ablations correct.
Attached a couple of photo’s of the sail taken today, there is a stain near the clew, which wasn’t there when i packed it, I think a leaf or something must have crept in when I packed it up for storage, it may come out a bit with some bleach. Photo 4.
Bolt rope for foot is OK, sliders on Luff are all there and headboard looks fine.

View attachment 138036 View attachment 138037 View attachment 138038 View attachment 138039


Quick measurement gives luff approx 7.4m & foot approx 3m so marginally smaller than the one you have.
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Hi, thanks for this. I'd be delighted to take it! Dimensions are perfect. Will PM you.
 
TimfromMersea said:
ve a Main and Genoa for sale. Both are by Rolly Tasker Sails and have had only one season’s use - they were the production sails that came with my Beneteau Oceanis.

Main is Luff 8.7m, Foot 3.35m, Leach 9.33m. It’s a three quarter batten design, with luff sliders, loose footed, two reef points. GRP battens.

Genoa is Luff 9.45m, Foot 4.06m, Leach 9.15m. It has a UV strip for roller furling.

These sails are in very good condition, hardly used. They can be seen at Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO7 postcode.

For sale for £450 each or £800 for the two.

PM me if interested.
Click to expand...
Thanks but luff is a bit too long for my mast.
 
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