replacing sails

[Brillig]

My 31 ft Pacific Seacraft Mariah (cutter rig) is in need of some new sails. The yard is recommending 110% Roller Furling Dacron Genoa, 110% Roller Furling Dacron Staysail and a Dacron Main with two reef points and four battens. I believe in keeping things as simple as possible, so my initial reaction is to not go with the Roller Furling gear and to shop for used sails. I will be singlehanding.

Your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

[JimsCAL]

Currently no roller furlers? If not, adding two will run a bit of money, so I hear your concern. Finding used headsails is easier than finding a main as you have more flexibility, especially for hanked sails. There is something to be said for roller furlers when single handing however.

[capttb]

I think modern reliable furlers make sailhandling and sailing much easier, especially for solo sailing. There are times when you must reduce sail and leaving the helm is dicey, being able to furl while within reach of the tiller can be "priceless".

[celenoglu]

Used sails for forward sails is not a god idea.

[Barquito]

Used sails for forward sails is not a god idea.

"...and on the 8th day God created used genoas!"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[peterchech]

Originally Posted by capttb

I think modern reliable furlers make sailhandling and sailing much easier, especially for solo sailing. There are times when you must reduce sail and leaving the helm is dicey, being able to furl while within reach of the tiller can be "priceless".

On a smaller home built boat I rigged up a line that went to the head of the jib, and ran parallel to the forestay. I ran it through a block at the bow, and back to the cockpit. This allowed me to drop the jib from the cockpit. I am considering getting rid of the furler on my current boat and installing the same system. You still have to hank/unhank at the end of the day, but in a pinch you can drop sail from the cockpit. Nets under the lifelines forward would help prevent this dropped jib from falling overboard.

[Squidd]

Originally Posted by celenoglu

Used sails for forward sails is not a god idea.

Care to expand ?...been thinking of adding to my sail set but don't want to pay new prices if I can reasonably avoid it...?

[meteuz]

Might be best to have roller furling on the forestay but not on the inner stay so that you can hank on a storm jib.

[zz4gta]

Squidd, only reason to get used sails is if you have a competitively raced OD type boat and can get newer sails for 1/2 the cost of new. Any other sail is going to be a re-cut, screw up from the sailmaker, or past it's useful life as a sail.

[arknoah]

Originally Posted by meteuz

Might be best to have roller furling on the forestay but not on the inner stay so that you can hank on a storm jib.

Makes sense.
Having the option is really valuable.