What to do with old sails?

[Travelling Westerly]

What do others do with old sails? I've just replaced my old North Sails main and was going to skip it but it just feels wrong to chuck it. Any suggestions?

 

[sailorman]

It grieved me to put an 8 season £1800 Genoa into a skip, never again a laminated Dracon sail

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Oh dear, looks like the skip then. Shame really

 

[Deleted member 478]

I gave mine to a kindergarten . They made a sunshade outside for the brats and also cut another sail up for material for the brats to use in art/whatever projects.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I offered one on Freecycle last time I had one to get rid of. Was snapped up in minutes.

 

[Clancy Moped]

Sun shades for the garden.

 

[ProDave]

A previous boat came with a spare main sail too big for the boat. I sold it on ebay.

 

[Cardinal]

I saved several intending to use as support for underfloor insulation but sold before getting the job done. I think that a decent improvement could be achieved.

 

[RupertW]

We threw away an old main and and old Genoa and regretted both, especially the Genoa.

Once we started planning longer trade wind voyages then a baggy set of sails that would be fine gradually chafing would have been ideal. So I spent 150 on somebody else’s old Genoa on eBay and another 200 on getting it fitted with hanks to be a separate working foresail alongside the roller.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Sell on ebay starting at a realistic price - I've sold my old sails and got reasonable prices.

 

[johnalison]

I had the first rubbish Elvstrom jib cut down for use as a winter sail but we only used it once or twice. The others have gone to the dump.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

We made a shower curtain out of an old genny, went well in nautical themed bathroom.

 

[Catalina36]

You could offer it to Westaway then spend the rest of eternity trying to get paid for it.

 

[Shuggy]

You could offer it to Westaway then spend the rest of eternity trying to get paid for it.

Beats buying a load of old crap and hoping to be refunded for it - I think. John Pollard... if we ever meet in a pub you owe me about 250 pints.

 

[Momac]

Make other stuff using the material ........Upcycling I think its called
Handmade bags, gifts and accessories in upcycled sailcloth and canvas | Sails and Canvas

 

[LittleSister]

For Sale

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

1.There are websites selling second hand sails, perhaps they would be interested.
2.There are enterprises which recycle sailcloth into luggage.
2. You could use it as an awning for your patio, or similarly in your conservatory, if you have either.
3. If your boat is skittish at anchor or on a mooring you could have it cut down and remodelled into a riding sail.

 

[Skellum]

1.There are websites selling second hand sails, perhaps they would be interested.
2.There are enterprises which recycle sailcloth into luggage.
2. You could use it as an awning for your patio, or similarly in your conservatory, if you have either.
3. If your boat is skittish at anchor or on a mooring you could have it cut down and remodelled into a riding sail.

As Martyn and Spirit of Glenans say above - the cloth can be repurposed for bags, covers etc depending on how knackered it is. Our club has a bin for recycling sails, and maybe local clubs or sailmakers can do the same? Seems a shame to just bin it.

 

[TernVI]

Keep old sails for winter or 'delivery' use.
Sell them on ebay if they are useable.
I've made covers and bags.
Shade for the pergola in the garden.
Shade for the greenhouse.
some went to a primary school for 'craft' use.

I seem to collect old dinghy sails, as I tend to buy them a season or two old.
They contribute to loft insulation.
We may have a fully-battened Mylar/Technora barbeque shelter soon.

 

[MoodySabre]

I sold one at a boat jumble. The other was used to make:
a stay sail
a bag for the cockpit tent
a bag for the dinghy oars
a bag for my wife,‘s yoga mat

the rest can go in the council fabric recycling bag.