Is my genoa past its prime?

[Neil]

I've just completed a 170 mile cruise in my new-to-me Sadler 25 and dealt with wide a wide gamut of wind and weather. I've had the feeling that my sail has passed its best. Visually, the UV strip is faded and has openings along some seams. The foot is frayed where it passes over the guard rail. In particular, when close hauled, it doesn't seem so flat (though I have no standard to judge), even when cranked in, and I experience a lot of heeling in strong winds without commensurate progress. The windward telltales flap all over the place and the lee ones stream flat. I still get good speed on a close to beam reach. If I take it to a sailmaker, would he be able to make an assessment of its condition off the boat or would he just suggest a replacement anyway to get the business. There's no point in repairing it if it's shot but I have no idea of its age.

 

[Norfolknick]

In my experience most quality sailmakers give very frank advice on a sail - you will come back to them eventually! It really depends on how shot the Dacron is and whether some of the bellowing can be recut.

An economic repair of the frayed elements might ensure you get another season out of the sail giving you some time to save up for a replacement (and would mean that you would then have a back up when you do replace it). If my S32 is anything to go by, a replacement Genny for a S25 is going to be about £900.

 

[flaming]

Unless it's really very bad I don't think you'd tell too much with the sail off the boat.

Next time you go sailing put the boat on a beat, trim the sail as best you can then take a photo from the middle of the foot looking at the head. Like this.

Then send that to your sailmaker, and post it here!

 

[seumask]

Sounds as if its dying of old age. Usually this means the cloth stretches and while it looks like a sail the draft is in the wrong place and the sail "bags" out then it wont work well, particularly noticeable close hauled!
Any decent sail maker should offer you advise on its condition, however its unlikely they will be able to re cut it with a good result. Sounds like you have done well to do your cruise, so only you can decide weather it something you want to Upgrade.

 

[Seven Spades]

Unless it's really very bad I don't think you'd tell too much with the sail off the boat.

Next time you go sailing put the boat on a beat, trim the sail as best you can then take a photo from the middle of the foot looking at the head. Like this.

Then send that to your sailmaker, and post it here!

Well that looks like a nice sail what is it?

 

[flaming]

Not ours, google was my friend. Looks like a north 3DL though.

 

[MM5AHO]

I had a similar sail. The UV strip in tatters, a hole on the clew, some fraying at the foot.
I sent it to NH Sails, and for what i thought a reasonable fee, they refurbished it and it looks like a new one.
They collected from Rhu Marina and delivered back there too.

 

[Neil]

But did it sail like a new one.........?

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

It's not necessarily worn out, perhaps from what you are describing, the sail has a "full" cut, which is great for reach and even better for running, but no that great for close haul. If I am right, then you may only need to replace the UV strip. Repairs are rarely less than £300, a new sail £700 ~ £1000; if you decide to go for a new sail, it does worth going for the expensive material and foam strip.