Used Sails

[Kallisti]

I am considering purchasing a used genoa online and wanted to hear if anyone has had experience with used sails and if its worth saving the money. Any positive or negative experiences are appreciated. I an considering two sails one from Second Wind Sails and one from Bacon Marine (no affiliation with either). Is this a good deal or am I wasting my money?

1. Used Sails from Second Wind Sails

2. Bacon Sails & Marine Supplies

[OtterGreen]

depends if its used or abused, what kind of sailing they were doing, what area, salt or freshwater. i myself purchased a new main and im glad i made the choice of new, my old main ripped in heavy winds, had it repaired, ripped again in another spot.. a new main cost me around 800, i saw some used for about 500 that just looked like they would have the same issues down the road and i would be back to square one. if you can afford it i say go new, there must have been a reason someone didnt want them, be it performance or integrity. my boat is 18 years old with the original sails until the main tore, the boat next to me has its originals since 75 but, he is an older man who will reef early or furl in and his sails are heavier material and primarily sails to relax. i have had some pretty heavy sailing on those silks and at 18 years of use, it was just their time.good luck!

[mitiempo]

I would buy a new main but there are many jibs for sale used that haven't been used much. Best if you can visit Bacon's to see for yourself.

[deniseO30]

Bacon has thousands and it's the only place I go to for sails. I've done ok too, even got a main sail for my boat that fits and that's difficult because my boat has a short boom

[Kallisti]

The boat only came with the main and a working jib which has been fine for learning to sail. But I am looking to expand my inventory a bit with a large jenny or gennaker to increase preformance on a reach/run which has been rather painfull with the 100. I also want to do it without breaking the bank I figure if I can pick up a 150 or so for $350 even if it only lasts a few seasons I will have got my moneys worth out of it. Am I on the right track?

[deniseO30]

You really really need to know your actual measurments. make a day trip. you won't regret it. The staff is very helpful will roll out roll up sails you select from the inventory.

[blt2ski]

I would say that trying to get a used sail for a % of new is a good idea. I know someone on the east coast with a twin to my boat, got a nice kevlar 155 for about 1/3 the price of a new one, that was not in that bad of shape. IIRC he was about $900 for a 350# sail with a #6 luff tape already on it.

I would probably not as mentioned get a main sail, but I could see getting some head sails this way if need be.

marty

[mitiempo]

Many people buy a boat with several jibs and a spinnaker or 2. After a few years they sell the ones they use less, often after very little use. Many change to a furler and sell the rest of their inventory - again after some have had little use. Used foresails can be a great buy.

Most don't sell a main until it has seen its day.

[RobGallagher]

I just had good luck going to a local loft.

After calling all the sailing lofts in the area I found one that had something in the size I was looking for.

About half the price of what I probably would have paid online.

[SloopJonB]

There are lots of reasons why sails end up at brokers, not just because they are old. Some are new stock sails from production boats where the owner immediately upgraded from the "production" sails the boat came with. Some are from lofts where the customer failed to take delivery etc. I have had very good luck twice - one 1/2 oz. spinnaker from a consignment shop for $400 in very decent shape and a high clew 100% jib for $150 from Craigslist in nearly unused condition - both for a Columbia 43 so they are pretty big sails - the spinnaker is 1400 sq. ft. for example and would cost 4 or 5 grand new.

I would always check the brokers, local consignment shops, Craigslist etc before even considering buying new EXCEPT for a mainsail - your chance of finding a good one that will fit without some sort of unacceptable compromise seems pretty slim from my search experience. Spinnakers seem like the best bet, particularly if you're not racing because then the measurements can fluctuate 10% up or down with no ill effect - jibs and especially mains need to be much more precise.

There are tons of brokers on the web - Bacons, Minneys, Second wind, Atlantic etc.

I keep a favourites list on my computer with the best ones on it so I can search easily - you have to buy when they are available, not when you need them, like most used gear.