[SpeedAgent]

Hello,

A local boat salvage yard has a nearly new, if not new, headsail and is willing to sell it for $125. I think he's going out of biz. Anyway, I don't know if it is a furling sail or not. My question is- what is the average expected cost to add the luff tape to make a non-furling sail set up for a furling system?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[SVCarolena]

Lots of variables, including the size of the sail and your location, but I would guesstimate a few hundred dollars. Also would make a difference depending on whether the furler used luff tape or a bolt rope. I'd suggest contacting a local sailmaker.

 

[blt2ski]

I had a hank sail converted to a #6 luff tape recently, about $7-8 per foot of luff.

marty

 

[121Guy]

Cost to convert to furling sail

Hi Speed Agent,

There are some variables so I'll make some assumptions to deal with them.

The sail has either hanks or the wrong luff tape now, so the luff needs to be stripped and then a new luff tape sewn on. The sail is a cross cut dacron sail. There may also be some modification to the head and tack dealing with setback for the particular furling system you have. #6 luff tape is around $2 per foot. You would multiply this by the luff length of the sail minus a couple of feet and that would be your material cost. To strip and replace the luff with a new tape is two to three man hours depending on length. So, for a 40 foot luff, figure $80for the new tape plus a hundred to two hundred labor.

This does not include any other modifications to the sail you may choose to make. If it is old, and the draft has moved then it may need to be recut. If it is too tall or too short you will have more issues.

Good luck!

 

[sailingfool]

In addition to the luff tape costs mentioned above, you will need to add a leader to the heard of the sail if it not a full hoist sail, sized to make the sail full hoist, and the leader also being taped. If you are going to leave the sail on (usually the reason for the furler...) you should also add a UV cover. Now you have at least doubled the luff tape cost. This work on a 150% with a 50' luff ran about $800.

 

[lawcrazyrob]

sail change from non-furling to furling

I have a nice hank-on genoa that I want to use to replace a fading furling genoa - I've read this string of comments and wondered if anyone would recommend a good place to go to have this change made in the Boston - north shore region of Massachusetts. FYI, I have a Paceship 26 with a Schaefer furling system.
Thanks!
Rob

 

[Liquorice]

It's not quite as simple as ripping off the old luff hem and sewing on a new luff tape. Often the sail needs to be shortened somewhat because of the insertion of the furling drum at the bottom and the swivel at the top.
That said, for a 26 ft boat (about a 30 ft luff) I charge $175 for the luff tape and $350 for the Sunbrella UV stripes down leech and foot.