How much to have a headsail cut down and converted to a furling headsail?

[seanfoster]

Hi All,

I'm just doing a bit of investigation really to find out whether this is worth doing, I need a new furling headsail for my 26ft yacht, the previous one was hanked on and is in very bad shape, I'm adding a furler and because funds are very tight this year I need to find a suitable furling headsail on a shoestring!

I've been looking around and a new headsail would be in the region of £500-700, I really need to come in somewhere around £200 (don't mind if it only lasts a few seasons as I intend to go for a new one in a few years time). I've had a look at the various sail agencies and there doesn't appear to be much around that would suit (I'm looking for something close to Luff 8.3m, Foot 4.2m, Leech 7.9m).
My thoughts are to find a decent headsail from a bigger boat (possibly an ex race sail which is past its racing best, but still good enough for cruising) which I think I could find for under £150 and get it recut and altered by a sail maker.
Does anyone know whether this is feasible (I'm aware that the shape wont be ideal, but will it work?) and if so how much would a sail maker likely charge for this?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Thistle]

I asked our local loft about something similar a few seasons ago - just a simple cut-down with no re-shaping. I was told that it would be almost 2/3 of the price of a new sail because 2 out of the 3 corners would have to be re-made and that that was where the labour - and hence the cost - was. Having to re-shape the sail - as you would probably have to do to convert a baggy and/or conventional sail to self-furling - would just make matters worse.

Probably best seeing if you can find someone who is up-grading a furling sail for a similar-sized boat. Maybe an ad on the Wanted forum?

 

[seanfoster]

Thanks for your reply, that makes sense but annoying!
Believe it or not, I think I've found a sail that is almost exactly the right size but has hanks, does anyone know what the going rate would be to add a bolt rope and UV strip?

 

[ianat182]

I cannot remember the actual cost but some 4 years ago had a 150% genoa cut down to about 110%,full height retained and handier when tacking. In your case though you would need the luff replaced to do the full conversion. I have a second genoa that I converted myself ,fitting sliders to each of the existing hank positions which while not perfect will replace my other one if needed. The only complication is to purchase the slugs of the correct diameter to slide in the luff groove of the furler,these are held to the sail either directly by whipping to the hank cringles or adding the luff plastic shackles that fit through the cringles and secure the slugs. You'll find the sail still furls OK even if the inital roll is slightly larger. A company near Emsworth called Seatech deal with second hand /used sails of all types and may be a source for the proper wired luff type, but make sure it will fit the foil, take a slider/slug with you that does fit.


ianat182

 

[seanfoster]

I cannot remember the actual cost but some 4 years ago had a 150% genoa cut down to about 110%,full height retained and handier when tacking. In your case though you would need the luff replaced to do the full conversion. I have a second genoa that I converted myself ,fitting sliders to each of the existing hank positions which while not perfect will replace my other one if needed. The only complication is to purchase the slugs of the correct diameter to slide in the luff groove of the furler,these are held to the sail either directly by whipping to the hank cringles or adding the luff plastic shackles that fit through the cringles and secure the slugs. You'll find the sail still furls OK even if the inital roll is slightly larger. A company near Emsworth called Seatech deal with second hand /used sails of all types and may be a source for the proper wired luff type, but make sure it will fit the foil, take a slider/slug with you that does fit.


ianat182

Thanks for that, it's actually Seateach that I've found have the sail I'm after, I'll give them a call on Monday.

 

[VicS]

Thanks for that, it's actually Seateach that I've found have the sail I'm after, I'll give them a call on Monday.

The cost of replacing a UV strip on a sail with a leech of 7.9m wiil be close to your £200 although not having to remove the old one should knock a bit off.

I think you may be in for a bit of a shock. Hopefully if you are buying the sail from Seateach they will do a deal on the alterations

 

[alahol2]

You should be able to get the UV strip for about £150. I've just had one on a larger sail (28ft masthead boat) for £165. That was a Bruce Banks Sails. The cheapest quote from 6 or 7 local lofts.
Have you got a class association with a for sale board?

 

[prv]

If this sail is just an interim measure, is a UV strip essential? It'll probably last a few years without one. Then you'd only need to pay for the luff rope.

Pete

 

[aquaplane]

I had a Jag 25 with a hank on genoa that had been converted to slugs to fit to a Plastimo furling kit. It was about 2" too long for the foil so I had 6" cut off the luff so it would fit. It didn't have a sacraficial strip either so I had one fitted at the same time, it was £350 and I still had an old sail.

 

[seanfoster]

If this sail is just an interim measure, is a UV strip essential? It'll probably last a few years without one. Then you'd only need to pay for the luff rope.

Pete

That's a good point, that combined with new slugs would mean I'd be up and running for around £100 (which means I'd be £100 nearer to a new sail!)

 

[LittleSister]

There are a number of places around the country selling second hand sails if you have a rummage around on the net. Wouldn't it be better to wait for one better sized for you (even slightly too smalll would save a lot of money) to appear? And/or try putting a 'Wanted' notice, with the sizes you need, on the forum.

 

[SamSalter]

I'm a sailmaker - in a different country, but this will give you an idea.
I charge:
Take off hank on luff and sew on new luff tape for roller furler - $175. (about £110)
New UV stripe leach and foot - $350. (about £225) That's not taking off the old one!
Your cost over there are a bit pricier and your VAT is unbelievable so expect to pay a bit more.
Buy the furler first. You need measurements above the drum in place and you need to know the size of the slot in the foil to get the right luff tape.
Sam

 

[DoubleEnder]

I have a 34 foot sloop, but fractional so headsail is not enormous. Suffolk Sails have just removed hanks, fitted luff tape to go in my new furler. £90 inc VAT. No UV strip, as this is just to get me going and see how it all works. I'll get a new sail made in a year I think. Or maybe not!

 

[seanfoster]

Thanks for replies, some very useful info here, as i said in a previous thread it looks like I've found a near perfect match size wise from Seateach, I'll give them a call tomorrow.