Headsail condition?

[Highndry]

When I bought my boat, it came with a good pair of sails - main and jib - and a collection of older ones - Having looked through the older sails, it strikes me that the original 150% jib is in pretty clean condition albeit much more pliable than the newer, stiffer, sails. Is there a real performance reason why I shouldn't have the older jib adapted for use on a Plastimo roller furler?

 

[TQA]

When assessing a sail, pliable is not usually good. It means that the resin which helps the sail hold it's shape is gone.

Bet when you hoist it, it will be baggy.

I would ask the opinion of a sailmaker AFTER he can see it flying or at least laid out flat.

 

[Twister_Ken]

When assessing a sail, pliable is not usually good. It means that the resin which helps the sail hold it's shape is gone.

Bet when you hoist it, it will be baggy.

I would ask the opinion of a sailmaker AFTER he can see it flying or at least laid out flat.

Ditto. In the past I've found smaller sailmakers to be happy to report on a sail, pass it as fit, quote for work required to make it fit, or tell me it's not worth spending money on. Do you have a local loft to give an opinion?

Another thing - depending on the boat a 150% genny can be a bit of a handful if staff numbers are limited. You might ask yourself whether you would ever actually use a sail that size.

 

[Birdseye]

When I bought my boat, it came with a good pair of sails - main and jib - and a collection of older ones - Having looked through the older sails, it strikes me that the original 150% jib is in pretty clean condition albeit much more pliable than the newer, stiffer, sails. Is there a real performance reason why I shouldn't have the older jib adapted for use on a Plastimo roller furler?

1/ do you race? If so forget it.
2/ have you checked the strength of the fabric - will it rip in a gust?
3/ dont forget the cost of adding a sacrificial strip - is the sail worth that much investment?

I have watched faluccas sailing on the nile with sails so patched you wouldnt believe. yes they lose performance but a lot less than you might think.

 

[Highndry]

I don't race or at least if I do it will be on someone else's boat. I like the idea of roller furling as I sail alone quite often.

Is it worth putting a sacrificial strip on an old sail? Is degradation that fast?