Old hull/new sails or new hull/old sails?

mtambone · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2003

I''m looking to buy a boat for racing (J-27)and have come across 2. One is an old hull with new sails (and a trailer) and the other is a new hull (4 years newer) with old sails that need replacing. The old boat has a trailer, a faired keel & rudder but needs a bottom paint job for this year. The newer boat is ready to go but has roller furling (I''d remove to race), no trailer and needs a new spin, main and the #1 recut for a tuffluff. Both are cosmetically and structurally sound and the same price. Which is better -- old hull & new sails or newer hull & old sails?

RyanMI25 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2003

Buy the new hull/old sails. Sail it for a year and when you''ve learned the boat well enough that you are maxing out the old sails, then buy new sails. Otherwise you''ll probably spend the first year blowing out the new sails anyways.

mikehoyt · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2003

The hulls last for a very long time. If the older hull is in good condition then do yourself a favour and buy the boat with the trailer and sails.

Just remember that in the world of racing "new" is a very fleeting time period for sails....

paulk · #4 (**permalink**) 06-17-2003

You don''t mention the costs for the two options. The newer hull is newer, but if the keel hasn''t been faired... that''s something that it still may need. The roller-furler is something you''re paying for but don''t want= added cost. As the years go by, the age difference in the boats will diminish, and you''ll continue to need new racing sails every two to three years. If you can''t buy both boats, you''ve got to make a choice that suits you. Good luck!