Used sails

[SteveCox]

I have the opportunity to buy some used sails at a really good price. Unfortunately they're not sized for my boat . The "I" measurement is right on but the "J" for my boat is 13.5' and for the sails is 11.25'. I'm primarily interested in the storm and heavy weather jibs in the package but I don't know if they will work. I thought I'd throw it out for the experts here.

[Faster]

Should be no problem if you are leaning toward the heavier breezes. (the sail will simply be a bit smaller). One issue that might crop up is whether or not you will be able to lead the sheet correctly given the location of the clew relative to your jib tracks. Sometimes with a different forestay angle and clew height your existing track may not allow a proper sheeting angle.

You can always add a short piece of track if necessary.

Also ensure the sail cloth is heavy enough for your intended usage. What you want to use as a "storm sail" may not have been intended for that wind range on the smaller (and lighter) boat.

[sailandoar]

One way to get an idea is to take a scale drawing of your boat (could be a side view in an advertisment) and then cut a scale sail and lay it on the picture and see how the sheet would lead. (bisect the angle between foot and leach).

[paulk]

We bought used sails this season, and have been pleased with the results. (We'd have had to sail without a genoa this summer oherwise - our #1 was totally shot.) The sails we got, however, were for the same model boat as ours. Pricewise, it was a no-brainer. A #1 genoa new from the sailmaker at the same cost as a slightly used #1, a #3, a spinnaker staysail and three spinnakers. We've won races with the used sails and look forward to several more seasons from each of them. The trick is finding someone who's boat was destroyed by a hurricane, and who kept his sails in his condo.