Sacrificial Strip renewal

[seivadnehpets]

It also depends on what the cover is made of. Trick question, unless you tell us that.

There’s no cover, just a sacrificial strip designed to last 6 years. And a stackpack, the same. Stackpack is shot, uv strip looks tired,

We have had our current headsails since having new boat in 2015 . I assume you are sailing in uk. They are nothing special ie the usual elevstrom cheap quality Dacron. A few years ago we had some patching to strip by the sailmakers at Thornham marine . Last year (mainly as I didn’t need to make a trip that way as no longer going to Prinsted and very happy with team there) I contacted Kemp who took in and renewed strip plus produced a report collecting from Gosport. The renewal of strip wasn’t cheap but cheaper than cost of new headsail and if they had said beyond repair I would have got a quote for new sail from others to compare. I guess whether you replace depends on type/distance of sailing and what you plan to do re keeping boat. Also do you want to spend hundreds on strip which might last 5 years or equivalent in thousands for new headsail which might last say 15 . So as said above get a second view eg from Kemp and say Sanders. You don’t say boat but it might be a new headsail will be better cut and thus you won’t have to roller reef so much ( I assume the current sail is crusader so I would be looking for other views /prices personally) . I have had Crusader quotes in past but always preferred approach of other sailmakers such as Sauders in Lymington and Kemp. but a lot is down to what style of service you like. If thinking of replacing maybe you have a local sailmaker worth contacting.

Ultimately guess it depends on your sailing plans /age . Have they quoted for a new sail/size/material or are they in effect refusing to renew strip as it’s too far gone?

it is Crusader who made the sail, and quote for renewal of strip. They don’t refuse, but advise that the sail, as it has been left up and furled through 11 summers with protection diminishing, will be weakened. Understood I could sail in f 3s and 4s and not worry, but even when reefed the weakened part of the sail is carrying load, so since I intend to sail when the wind blows, I should replace.
I want to take the boat up the East Coast and across to DenHelder, and whilst I’d do this on a weather window, I’d want to be equipped. I think I’ll need to replace, the only question is how long I eek out this sail, and if I don’t replace the strip, then it’s not long.

 

[seivadnehpets]

Yes I do ....

I have a 'sock' I can hoist - but I really don't like it ..... so it stays folded up in the locker.

I crewed for an old lady with a traditional rig, she had strict rules, sails came off, and were showed below. Out at sea I was expected to unhank head sails and staysails, and drop them through the hatch.
That was the best system, but not for single handing ):

 

[Biggles Wader]

I crewed for an old lady with a traditional rig, she had strict rules, sails came off, and were showed below. Out at sea I was expected to unhank head sails and staysails, and drop them through the hatch.
That was the best system, but not for single handing ):

That was quite normal prior to reliable furlers being available.
FWIW I am in the habit of removing my headsails from the furler when not using the boat for several days or longer. It doesn't really take that long to put them up again(ten minutes?) and no sun damage.

 

[Poignard]

I had a sacrificial strip replaced by Wilkinson Sails Ltd, Faversham [whose boss posts here under a username I can't remember] a few years ago . The price was very reasonable.

 

[seivadnehpets]

That was quite normal prior to reliable furlers being available.
FWIW I am in the habit of removing my headsails from the furler when not using the boat for several days or longer. It doesn't really take that long to put them up again(ten minutes?) and no sun damage.

I was thinking about this, it's my first yacht so all a learning curve.

 

[seivadnehpets]

I had a sacrificial strip replaced by Wilkinson Sails Ltd, Faversham [whose boss posts here under a username I can't remember] a few years ago . The price was very reasonable.

They gave me a better price for the strip, but I am anticipating when they see the sail they might suggest replacement.

 

[Poignard]

They gave me a better price for the strip, but I am anticipating when they see the sail they might suggest replacement.

That's possible. I seem to remember being told that it wouldn't be worth having it done again after that time as the sail would most likely have deteriorated to the point where it needed to be scrapped.

 

[KevinV]

They gave me a better price for the strip, but I am anticipating when they see the sail they might suggest replacement.

Wait - they haven't seen it yet?? There's a world of difference in what a ten year old sail can look like - I wouldn't make any decision until they've seen it. I took mine (all 6) to them and they gave me good advice.

 

[seivadnehpets]

Wait - they haven't seen it yet?? There's a world of difference in what a ten year old sail can look like - I wouldn't make any decision until they've seen it. I took mine (all 6) to them and they gave me good advice.

Tricky for me, as I don't drive.....

I guess I could sail to Faversham and come back with the no 2 head sail hanked on. Poole would have to be a courier service, which would be expensive for advice. But I'm reckoning an experienced sail merchant/maker should have a good idea of the condition of a sail that his firm have made that's been furled on for 11 summers.

What do they do with old sails?
A hank on sail might be kept as a no 2, but something designed to go around a furler... I can't see it being much use to keep.

 

[Stemar]

Understood I could sail in f 3s and 4s and not worry, but even when reefed the weakened part of the sail is carrying load, so since I intend to sail when the wind blows, I should replace.

Maybe. Last year I found myself in 30 knots with our 40+ year-old genoa. It survived.

Am I right in thinking that Crusader sails are made in East Asia somewhere? That might explain why they'd rather sell a new sail than fix an old one.

 

[seivadnehpets]

Maybe. Last year I found myself in 30 knots with our 40+ year-old genoa. It survived.

Am I right in thinking that Crusader sails are made in East Asia somewhere? That might explain why they'd rather sell a new sail than fix an old one.

They claim not;

"
Quotations attached, this and another two that follow..

* All our sails are designed, cut and sewn in our own loft, here in Poole in the UK and we guarantee the fit of our sails.

* We only use top quality Woven material produced by the best weavers in Europe

If there are any details we missed, please let us know as there are many more options available within our sailmaking range ."

 

[Boathook]

Tricky for me, as I don't drive.....

I guess I could sail to Faversham and come back with the no 2 head sail hanked on. Poole would have to be a courier service, which would be expensive for advice. But I'm reckoning an experienced sail merchant/maker should have a good idea of the condition of a sail that his firm have made that's been furled on for 11 summers.

What do they do with old sails?
A hank on sail might be kept as a no 2, but something designed to go around a furler... I can't see it being much use to keep.

They are assuming the worst and I don't blame them. One persons idea of good condition is different from some one else's.

Over the years I've seen sails of around that age looking perfect to being "wrecked".

 

[dunedin]

....
FWIW I am in the habit of removing my headsails from the furler when not using the boat for several days or longer. It doesn't really take that long to put them up again(ten minutes?) and no sun damage.

That depends hugely on size of boat, type of sail and size of crew.
On our 12m boat just spent 2 hours fitting "summer jib" in a flat calm. Not possible solo above about 8 knots wind.
I struggle to lift the sail back onto deck - use electric halyard winch.
Also heed to go up and down deck between pre feeder and halyard winch every 1m or so of hoist.
And fitting four 2.5m vertical battens mid hoisting is a supreme pain.

Hopefully now on till October.
But swapping to old jib for winter sailing does improve sail life.

 

[seivadnehpets]

That depends hugely on size of boat, type of sail and size of crew.
On our 12m boat just spent 2 hours fitting "summer jib" in a flat calm. Not possible solo above about 8 knots wind.
I struggle to lift the sail back onto deck - use electric halyard winch.
Also heed to go up and down deck between pre feeder and halyard winch every 1m or so of hoist.
And fitting four 2.5m vertical battens mid hoisting is a supreme pain.

Hopefully now on till October.
But swapping to old jib for winter sailing does improve sail life.

This is interesting, I am 8.5m. But think I’ll still struggle. With wind strength, is it any advantage being on a swinging mooring being weathercocked at HW?

Do I have vertical battens, God I hope not!

 

[justanothersailboat]

Tricky for me, as I don't drive.....

I guess I could sail to Faversham and come back with the no 2 head sail hanked on.

For what it's worth, walking to and from Faversham station to Wilkinsons carrying one sail is just about practical. That's what I do. Two is a bit uncomfortable.

 

[Neeves]

The OP has mentioned, or implied the yacht is new to him. The previous owner might have removed the sails at the end of the season, to extend their life). The age of the sail is then irrelevant. If the UV strip is still undamaged - I'd go sailing. When the UV strip starts to fall apart - get a new UV strip or a new sail. I'd also get a second opinion on the state of the current sail and more than one quote for UV strip and or new sail - unless money does not matter to you.

Take your yacht out and use the sails, take some pictures and post here. Look carefully at the UV strip - if to needs to be replaced - it will be obvious.

We raced and removed the sails, both of them, headsail and main, at the end of every day of racing. 33'yacht. They were rolled packed as a long rolled sausage and laid along the cabin sole, no folds. Leaving a sail up over winter if you are not going to use the yacht - is plain daft.

Jonathan

 

[seivadnehpets]

Thanks, you’re right, the boat is new to me, and my first yacht. I managed a club race last weekend, and I’m hoping to go out on the creek tonight and come back tomorrow evening. I’ll try to get some pics.
I hope to do bigger trips in the next few years and equip the boat appropriately.
I don’t think the sail will self destruct, but I do think the biggest issue is in deterioration in a lightly used sail is UV, ie summer.
The best reason for removing gear in the winter is cleaning and maintenance.
Sails that are left up and furled, and unused, all year round are neglected, I would suspect older than the owner might tell you.
And many sails that are stowed in winter and look pristine when they are used in light winds might not do so well half furled in a blow, as the part nearest the clew, that is exposed when the strip fails is under load when reefed.

Not meaning to teach granny to suck eggs, just working this out for myself.

The gentleman who sold me this boat has removed sails out of season, but as he wasn’t planning any big trips under sail he hasn’t cared for them as much a as I might need to.
I’m sure that a new strip will extend the life of the sail, and that I could use as is if I don’t want it to last, but if I want the best sail when I go further from home in the next couple of years I’ll need to replace it then. It’s a tricky decision.