New sails

[Ed Colonna]

When I purchased my little day sailer she came with an original main. Having taken the main off and washed it thoroughly it is fair to say that since 1986 it has seen better days. Although any holes in that time were patched up it has come to the point where thread is fraying and the luff is becoming more and more mangled as it goes up and down the mast, i'm sure she could make another season or two, but best to be safe. As I'm only 17 I am doing my best to find the cheapest way around this. Having searched thousands of websites there are no old/new main sails for a Valiant 18. In addition to this trawling through more sites its very hard to even find existing sails with similar dimensions (luff : 5.85m leech:6.55m foot: 2.65m). So that I don't have to splash out on a brand new one, as i can only assume the cost of labour for making one is extortionate, are there any other alternatives?
Any advice would help hugely.

 

[vyv_cox]

Have you researched dinghies with sails of similar size? You just might drop lucky and find a keenly raced class in which sails are changed frequently, old ones sold off. Slightly bigger ones can always be cut down without spending a fortune. I know someone with a 19ft cruiser who uses a Laser 2 mainsail.

 

[Laurie]

I have old sails from a 28foot plus cruiser. I have offered them here before FOC (collect) several expressed interest, then never did anything about it.........could be recut?

 

[Ed Colonna]

Thank you for the potential offer. I've contacted a local sail maker to get a quote for a new sail and for one to be cut and reshaped. Will be in contact if anything comes from it.

 

[Lakesailor]

I had a Valiant 18. The main is not a big sail. Have you looked at dinghy sails? I replaced the main on a Seahawk 17 with and Osprey mainsail for less than £70. It was almost a perfect fit. A couple of inches shorter in the foot and 3" taller on the luff. Fitted perfectly.

 

[Laurie]

Thank you for the potential offer. I've contacted a local sail maker to get a quote for a new sail and for one to be cut and reshaped. Will be in contact if anything comes from it.

No worries, thanks for letting me know. They are there for anyone who wants them or some of them........