Second hand sails

[Spuddy]

I've investigated a few sites but would appreciate any suggestions for dealers in used sails. I'm after a more than half decent main for my 27'. Thanks

 

[rob2]

You may have already seen them, but Seateach in Emmsworth sell second hand sails, presumably mostly taken in exchange for new...? They're worth a look, as they have quite a comprehensive database of sail dimensions for many designs of boats. Some years ago, I enquired for a main for a T24, they showed me details of five variations of rig for the boat!

http://www.seateach.com/Details.asp?ProdID=236&category=303&secondary=

By the way, which 27 footer is it?

Rob.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've investigated a few sites but would appreciate any suggestions for dealers in used sails. I'm after a more than half decent main for my 27'. Thanks

You should also regularly check on eBay - usually a few sails on at any one time and you may pick up a bargain. Another option would be your owners association - if there is one. I think there a second hand sailmaker in Scotland but can't remember the name.

 

[PetiteFleur]

This any good? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Working-Mains...UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item1e5d2d719b
Or http://www.secondhandsails.co.uk/
Or http://www.exchangesails.co.uk/

 

[Seajet]

Spuddy,

If she's a SAILING BOAT she'll need good sails, and people don't sell off old sails until they're s*****ed !

This has to be the most common false economy on the planet.

Do her and yourself a favour and buy a new suit - mains fail first of course - not talking as a racing nut, just think of clawing off a lee shore in a gale, every bit of performance is a potential life saver, also less baggy sails will minimise the heeling moment, not being sexist but this can mean more ( in my case anyway ) desperately required Brownie Points with the girlfriend...

 

[theforeman]

..... I think there a second hand sailmaker in Scotland but can't remember the name.

not sure any sailmaker would admit to making secondhand sails
but you may be thinking of saturn sails at largs.

 

[neil1967]

Well, I sold a virtually new spinnaker to SeaTeach because it came with my secondhand yacht and I had no use for it - I am sure that somebody is now putting it to good use, and that they paid a lot less than a new kite. So, yes, new sails are best, but not all secondhand sails are necessarily totally knackered.

 

[LadyInBed]

I've used Seateach to buy electronics and a 2nd hand sail. I've found them to be a reputable company.
Go into buying a 2nd hand sail with your eyes open, you can find sails in reasonable condition and Seateach do rate them Good to Poor, also I believe they will take them back if not suitable, you should check.

 

[savageseadog]

Westaway sails do lists of used ones. Not the cheapest but I found them good to deal with.

http://www.westawaysails.co.uk/used-secondhand-sails.htm

 

[Spuddy]

Thanks folks. Some of the sites I had tried and nothing quite to suit at the moment. The current main is the original - about 1969 - so you can guess what it's like. Fitted new roller gear and Jekells genoa earlier in the year and a new engine a year or two before so sensible economies now required.
Anyone know of any more ?

 

[oldharry]

Spuddy,

If she's a SAILING BOAT she'll need good sails, and people don't sell off old sails until they're s*****ed !

This has to be the most common false economy on the planet.

Do her and yourself a favour and buy a new suit - mains fail first of course - not talking as a racing nut, just think of clawing off a lee shore in a gale, every bit of performance is a potential life saver, also less baggy sails will minimise the heeling moment, not being sexist but this can mean more ( in my case anyway ) desperately required Brownie Points with the girlfriend...

Sounds logical, but not actually true: pure racers will often replace sails every season in order to keep the ultimate 'edge' on performance, leaving a perfectly good sail with plenty of life left in it for non-competitive sailing. My Trident happens to have a main very nearly the same size as the Swallow class of which we have a local fleet. I had a virtually new main this season, which with a little attention from the sailmaker cost me £250 for what is effectively a brand new sail!

Living close to Emsworth I have replaced several sails through Seateach, and always found their condition assesment to be accurate and honest: if they say 'good' it genuinely is 'good', with plenty of life left. For us budget sailors its an invaluable resource. I would like to think most sailmakers who deal in used sails will want to preserve their reputations when they describe their stock, but I never tried anything else. EBay of course is always 'caveat emptor', and I would want to see a sail before bidding.

 

[lw395]

What I would do is look to see if any racing class has the right size sails.
Racing sails are often uncompetitive a very long time before they are worn out for cruising purposes.

 

[ianat182]

Bruce Banks sailmakers used to have a list of used sails which included some 'development' sails for different (mainly racing) classes where various'cuts' and shapes were tried.
I bought a National 12 one that was mitre cut as an experiment. At that time I was no wiser as to the fine performance issues, and it worked OK for me, not that I won Nationals or anything like!! Price was much less than the normal then.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Well, I sold a virtually new spinnaker to SeaTeach because it came with my secondhand yacht and I had no use for it - I am sure that somebody is now putting it to good use, and that they paid a lot less than a new kite. So, yes, new sails are best, but not all secondhand sails are necessarily totally knackered.

I have a spinny that is virtually new and not needed so I agree with you. However, I'm looking for a decent roller reef no 3 / 105%, and in this case it does seem that the second hand sails are well used

 

[sighmoon]

Unless you're very lucky, odds are it will need some sort of adaptation to fit

For my former 27 footer, I got a new main for £325 or so from Hong Kong sailmakers. I don't know if the Uk agent is still in business, but as the sails get shipped from China, it doesn't really matter where the agent is based. Try:

http://www.fareastsails.com/

 

[Lakesailor]

Secondhand sails may be available for all sorts of reasons.
I just bought a small main for my boat for under £60. It's not in new condition but is a whole universe better than the one I'm replacing.
A new one would be £480 at Jeckells sails and no doubt a much better sail.
But £ for £ I doubt it.
I have a spinnaker to get rid of from a (Micro Cup) boat I scrapped. Hardly used really but no good to me.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've sold a couple of sails recently. An unused hank on storm jib sold on ebay for next to nothing and a used hank on genoa sold privately following a contact from boats and outboards for a reasonable sum (£100). The genoa buyer was very pleased with the sail he tells me.
On this basis I would say ebay is a good place to buy, if you can find exactly what you want, but not a good place to sell.

 

[temptress]

I have used SEATEACH in Emsworth in the past. I would recommend that go and look at the sail as second hand is well second hand......

 

[monkfish24]

I used Westaways sails in Plymouth. Their rating system for condition is very accurate and truthful. I paid £200 for a sail that was raced for one season on an Int 5 metre and it is short on the luff and foot by probably no more than 2 feet in either direction. Pretty false economy me thinks not compared to the balloon that was on there before.