Headsail Longevity

Carl Noble · Post by **Carl Noble** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:45 am

I would like to know the average life span of a roller furling 150 Genoa with UV strips in place. Mine had 5 1/2 seasons without any protection and stored at a dock. (Season = 7 months.). I am questioning if the $200 investment will increase the life of the sail well past that time frame.

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:01 am

If your dacron sail lasted 5.5 years at the dock, then you can expect the dacron UV wrap to last the same. The difference being that you can replace the UV wrap for $200 instead of the whole sail for four times that.

If you don't dock in an extremely windy place, consider getting a genoa cover, raised by the jib halyard. My Mac factory optional Sunbrella cover is still in excellent shape after 9 years, matches the factory mainsail cover, and my 150 genoa is still in like new condition except for some dust (we get red mud storms occasionally) and s.s. pulpit staining on the foot. It will be years before I even have to wash it. I do have to wrap the jib halyard around it in windy weather to prevent undue flapping, which might cause wear on the sail from the plastic zippers.

waternwaves · Post by **waternwaves** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:23 am

after 10 years........ my zipper tabs tore off on my sock........

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:33 am

waternwaves wrote:after 10 years........ my zipper tabs tore off on my sock........

Mine too, after six years. I have lost the very topmost half inch from the zipper, so it's a bear to get it started. Hate to replace 25 feet of it just due to that top section, but ... ??

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:05 pm

I didnt use a sock or cover and my genny lasted four years - not due to UV degradation but I caught it on the spreader in high wind and it ripped open a small tear I had neglected to tape.

Carl Noble · Post by **Carl Noble** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:13 am

The difference being that you can replace the UV wrap for $200 instead of the whole sail for four times that.

I bought the new sail at bill@boats4sale for $340 which is only 40 percent more than the UV protection costs. The PO had purchased a sock for the boat but never used it. When I bought the boat I never used the sock as the sail was already deteriorated. I mostly singlehand and putting the sock up is a hassle. However if the sail will last 10 years then I guess I'll have to learn how to use the sock. Mine has three zippers. Is this the norm? Anyone have good advice for raising the sock?

March · Post by **March** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:51 am

My gib sock has four zippers, sewn one after the other. I can handle the halyard single-handedly, puling it up and down and stepping on it. As the sock comes down, I feed it through the hatch. Same when it goes up.

I've been keeping my sails protected by covers, when I don't use them, even when we anchor overnight. Got the boat as used four years ago and the sails still seem to go strong--knock on fiberglass.

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:31 pm

My dealer IInmon) advised me NOT to get a Genoa Cover (has furler) because cost not justified in relation to replacement cost - - - so I didn't. He advised me to ALWAYS cover the main, even overnight, which I do.

Recently, after 9 months, the dealer replaced my Genoa with a new one because the original had a rip near the seam he couldn't explain nor justify - - - so he replaced it free of charge.

I was SHOCKED how much WHITER the replacement was than either the old Genoa OR the Main because of our So Cal sun

I now have a white Genoa and a sort of ivory Main

Rick

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:37 pm

Amazing lifespan of sails guys. Both my sails blew out in less than two years. Just had them replaced. For any sort of high-end sail, A cover is a must. For the stock Doyle sails, I wouldn't bother. The useful life of the sail will go before the sun does its thing.

Leon

Carl Noble · Post by **Carl Noble** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:46 am

Amazing lifespan of sails guys. Both my sails blew out in less than two years.

Having had three sailboats I have often wondered at what point a sail is considered blown out or in need of replacement. My new genoa has a much crisper feel and a little bit whiter than my mainsail (6 seasons) (which is always covered except when sailing) but I feel the mainsail is still in great condition. There was no doubt my old genoa was in need of replacement. I had to tape it several times last season and this season it just started to rip apart in the wind. This was definately due to UV deterioration. So my question is what do the rest of you consider a worn out sail?

rjs11116 · Post by **rjs11116** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 6:39 am

Avoid the sock.mine has snaps with turn snaps at the ends and every third spot . these ruin itself and the sail. the snaps that turn cut through the cover and the sail,the plain snaps almost wore through the cover and marked the sail. I'ts a 150%genoa I'm waiting on a repair estimate for the sail. Don't get a cover with the snaps because if you get wind it will ruin itself and the it is supposed to protect

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:58 am

So my question is what do the rest of you consider a worn out sail?

Structural life of a sail is self evident. If it is falling apart, ripped, etc, it is time for repair or replacement. Performance life is a whole different issue and typically ends before the structural life. In my case, both sails started to look like bed sheets without holding much shape. The jib had a fish bowl shape and could not be trimmed properly without backwinding the main. It always needed to be undertrimmed, otherwise the performance of the main was severely compromised. The main usually blows out first on the leech. The leech will flap around. You can compensate for this with the leech line but eventually, you can't get rid of the flutter unless you get the same fish bowl effect on the leech of the main. Also, the heel and weather helm are increased significantly. This is a tell tale sign of blown out sails. I just went through the process of replacing both sails and the symptoms are now fully cured. The boat heels much less, with a huge reduction in weather helm and of course, goes faster. I can also trim the jib properly, even overtrim it (just to test) and the main is not backwinded at all. Hope this helps.

Leon

beene · Post by **beene** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:27 am

I have owned my Sandpiper 565 for 11 years. It has seen lots of action since I have owned it. First owned and sailed in the Florida Keys. Then off to Ontario Canada where it sailed the great lakes for years. The boat is a ’78 and still has the original sails. The only thing I could see them needing is a touch up where small sections of sewing have deteriorated.

G

Post by **kmclemore** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:06 am

I also still use the original sails on my BW Harpoon, and they're just fine. I had them restored by SailRite, and they did a wonderful job... even replaced the sizing and they 'snap' just like new ones. They were also able to replace the logo on the sail, as the original 'ball-and-harpoon' symbol had become a little faded.

Bobby T.-26X #4767 · Post by **Bobby T.-26X #4767** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:44 am

i use a sock for one purpose only...to protect the clean white jib while the mast is in the trailered position. once on the water, the jib is "sock free".

when in the trailered position, the jib runs along the mast and is extended out the bow utilizing a PVC "half-pipe" attachment mod.

by using a black sock, the jib is protected along the top from dust,dirt, and debris, even with the 20' x 30' grey/black tarp on top of the whole unit.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Headsail Longevity

Headsail Longevity

genoa protection

Sail covers