Uses for old sails?

[Resolution]

The current thread about problems with Westaways and secondhand sails reminds me that I have an old genoa** sitting in my garage. I did post an advert on the forum offering it for sale but got no responses. I looked at a couple of companies offering 2/h broking services but neither seemed economically efficient enough for the effort, and maybe the comments about Westaways support that judgement. So what can one do to stop one's garage / attic becoming full of bags of old sails? Ideas anyone?

**Sail is dacron, bolt rope for luff groove, for 42 footer masthead rig. No rips or tears, just 7 years normal use so a bit baggier than when it started. replaced it with a smaller composite from North which is much faster.

 

[Romeo]

So what can one do to stop one's garage / attic becoming full of bags of old sails? Ideas anyone?

I am not sure. If you find out please let us know. Some of the sails in my Loft are cotton! To be fair I like to keep the immediate previous set as a spare and in case I want to send them away to help with the process of getting a new set cut.

 

[geem]

they make great beanbags

 

[MoodySabre]

I gave mine to friends who used part of it to make a riding sail as they spend a good amount of time at anchor. I used some of the rest to make bags for my cockpit tent and for the oars for the inflatable. I also made a sunshade and for my wife a bag with a rope handle in which to carry her yoga mat. The remainder is cluttering up the garage.

 

[SiteSurfer]

Well if anyone has an old cruising chute that would suit a 28 footer lying around - I'd gladly assist with recycling it

 

[Sailing Ape]

Probably not the answer you were looking for, but perhaps another way to get rid of them is to list them for sale as awnings or, if you a dab hand at cutting and sewing, turning them into bags/hold-alls or jackets (beanbags as suggested by geem are probably easier to make though...)
Google sails used as awnings to see companies selling them and how they're used and/or look at cycle and reuse sailboat sails on Pinterest - or for really expensive one just look at quba.com website.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

I have used old sails to cover plywood panels in a camper van conversion before...

Pete

 

[Zagato]

Have a friend who is looking for sails for a Folkboat if anyone has anything suitable, Oh and needs a mast also and shrouds and someone to help him fix his wood hull up in West Sussex.

old sails, very useful to make things out of I could recycle some as well

 

[Resolution]

Dammit! I knew I should not have wasted time in the science labs at school - I should have taken up needlework and embroidery!

 

[Resolution]

Any other deserving causes with use for a charity sail?

 

[Bergamot]

I recently sold an old jib on ebay. I asked the buyer what boat it was to be used on. He sheepishly admitted that it was to be used as a sun shade for his holiday home. I hope he fits a drain otherwise he may get a surprise when it rains!

 

[STATUE]

Made a wigwam for my grandchildren out of my old main and gave them permanent markers to make 'Red Indian' images on it.

Their parents were not impressed with the 'permanent' thing !

 

[Daydream believer]

Have a friend who is looking for sails for a Folkboat if anyone has anything suitable, Oh and needs a mast also and shrouds and someone to help him fix his wood hull up in West Sussex.

old sails, very useful to make things out of I could recycle some as well

I do have a storm jib for a Stella & i think I still have a genoa & possibly a working jib in the garage loft
Genoa luff may be too much but the storm jib & working jib had wire luff extenders which can be reduced
If he PM's me I will get out sometime & sort the dims & some pics

 

[GHA]

An old Yankee in the past day has transformed into a couple of square awnings, a wind scoop for a hatch and an anchor riding sail.

 

[Zagato]

I do have a storm jib for a Stella & i think I still have a genoa & possibly a working jib in the garage loft
Genoa luff may be too much but the storm jib & working jib had wire luff extenders which can be reduced
If he PM's me I will get out sometime & sort the dims & some pics

Thanks mate, I will get you his number. He bought the wooden Folk-boat for £5, he has no budget to talk of at present, money very tight but as he is approaching his 50th wants to get it on the water somehow. He is a top bloke and deserves a bit of a break... He is a fencer by trade, runs an old series Land Rover as a daily drive, wonder why he can,t make his own mast!!

 

[Foxy]

yeah well if someone tries to sell a nice genoa from turbulence sails and a tan ghoster from Mac, then give me a shout cos some 'ker nicked mine. grrrrrr

 

[Lodds]

I have cut up my old sails and made a comfy water proof bag for my ST2000 AutoHelm, also in the process and have been for a few months of making a couple of bags.
I was concerned that my wife's old sewing machine wasn't upto the job; but I needlessly worried as it was fine.

 

[GHA]

Just added to the sewing machine list, a couple of bag type covers for the water containers and fuel containers which live on deck making the place look untidy, hope they will make the boat look a bit more presentable

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I once cut the centre out of a perfect (almost new) optimist sail to make a kite. My dad was not impressed - I was 12 at the time.

 

[TiggerToo]

I once cut the centre out of a perfect (almost new) optimist sail to make a kite. My dad was not impressed - I was 12 at the time.

did it fly well, at least?