Used Sails

[irwinsailor]

I have been thinking about replacing my mainsail with a used one. A new main is over $5000. for our boat and once and a while I see one that would fit at different web sites that are used for $1000-$2000. Has anyone here bought a used sail? Was it worth the money?

[Alan Wheeler]

I bought a "PRE-LOVED" Genoa for my boat. It was in perfect shape and had very little use. $5K was the cost new, and I paid $500 for it. Maybe a little of right place right time came into play there. The scenario was it was a sail built via a sailmaker as asked for by the owner. But it was two weights heavier than the owner wanted and was just too heavey for his boat. So the owner got a new lighter one made and I got the old one. So good bargains can be found.
Good luck.

[irwinsailor]

Now that sounds like a great deal! My genoa has some age on it, I would not mind replacing it for $500.

[BC Mike]

I just paid $200- for a large headsail for my boat, it is in good condition and the shape is good. Because it is the largest sail it may not get used as much and will only be up in light air, so used was a good option. The sails that get used the most I purchased new. That is the main and 150% headsail. I like having a new main as I got full battens up high and more roach and a loose foot, it would have been hard to find all that used. For the number of years a new sail lasts I am happy getting at least those two new.
Michael

[witchcraft]

We bought a used main sail from our sailmaker, when we had blown our main out. This said had been used only one year, and was perfect for our boat.
The budget at the time meant either a repair or used.
Have the sail checked carefully before purchasing.
Fair Winds
Witchcraft

[Bryanaw40]

I bought a 100% jib for my boat for about $450. It was in really good condition because the prior owner did not use it much. After buying a new main and a new 150% genoa and a bunch of other improvements, the budget could not take another $2K hit.

Look around at local lofts if you have any near by. Buying one without seeing condition seems a bit risky to me. Although some used sail lofts have return policies that might be acceptable.

good luck.

bryan

[Geoff S.]

Good timing! The latest issue of Practical Sailor deals with "discount" sail lofts, including used sources.
Here's a distillation of their findings:

For new discount sails, they liked National Sail Supply best: www.nationalsail.com, (239) 693-1896; evidently good response time and pricing.

They also recommended Far East Sails, www.fareastsails.com, (206) 339-3618; Sail Warehouse, www.thesailwarehouse.com, (831) 646-5346; Airforce Sails (div. of SailNet), www.airforcesails.com, (877) 237-2457; and Crusing Direct, www.cruisingdirect.com, (888) 424-7388.

For used sails, they liked Sail Exchange best, www.sailexchange.com, (800) 628-8152; they also were impressed with the inventory at Bacon & Associates, www.baconsails.com, (410) 263-4880.

They warned against one broker, Atlantic Sail Traders; evidently they didn't bother to return two emails and two phone messages, and PS simply gave up on them.

Good luck! A combination of perseverence and luck should yield a good deal.

[GordMay]

Thanks for the good info' Geoff.

BTW: I’ve found that Bacon & Associates, in Annapolis, tend to rate the condition of their used sails very conservatively. They tend to be delivered in better condition than their description might have led you to believe.
FWIW,
Gord May

[artfem]

In reply to Geoff S., he is correct that PS rated Atlantic Sail Traders poorly in the original article. However, PS has since posted a follow up and give them a good reveiw. It seems the lack of communication was due to an illness in the family that owns the company and was atypical. I bought a 150% genoa from them and I am very happy with the sail.

[JGI417]

I was considering a used sail, how are they or do the grade used sails and is there any kind of return policy. what kind of questions should I ask

[Talbot]

You can also get used sails on the other side of the pond. http://www.seateach.com/Sails.asp

[Steve Kidson]

Used sails also available in Australia.

Traders tend to advertise in boating publications and offer a "return if not suitable" policy on most items.

Other sources of second hand sails tend to be the serious racers who will often replace sails each season. Need to look carefully, as sails specifically for racing may not necessarily suit the cruiser, but if the price is right, a sailmaker can probably make any alterations and still be ahead on price of new sails.

Fair winds

Steve

[Spirit28]

Any one know if Sail Exchange is still in business?

They have a what looks like a nice No. 3 on their website (Sail Exchange) that will fit my boat perfectly. I have sent a couple of emails over the last week or so and haven't had any response.

Don't know if it is because I'm from outside of the US or what.

Any help would be much appreciated - even if someone local could phone them (800 628-8152) for me to find out if they still operate & if the sail is still in stock - I can PM the details.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

[Latitude9.5]

Check out Scott over at Atlantic Sail Traders, Atlantic Sail Traders - Used sails, New sails, Sail Broker

incredibly good people, 30 day return policy and great descriptions. you can shoot them an email, they've always gotten back to me VERY quickly and are incredibly knowledgeable.

[mikereed100]

Another very good resource for used sails is Minnies in Newport Beach, CA. They will give you an honest evaluation of the sail, shipping is fast and prices are good.

Mike