Cost of sails

[Bluewaters2812]

I know there are many types of sails out there, many different sizes etc etc.

I am just trying to get an idea of a budgetary cost to make if a sail has to be replaced. Is there anyone who has recent experience of sail replacing in the 44 foot to 50 foot range monohull sloop. One to be used for cruising/liveaboard around the Caribbean/USA East Coast, thanks.

[DennisM]

My boat is smaller, but I had my mainsail reconditioned by a company in Pennsylvania that did a really good job, and it was a lot less expensive than a new sail. For what it's worth.

[donradcliffe]

On the order of $10k for a good main and furling genoa out of dacron.

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by DennisM

My boat is smaller, but I had my mainsail reconditioned by a company in Pennsylvania that did a really good job, and it was a lot less expensive than a new sail. For what it's worth.

What did the "reconditioning" entail? I assume that the sails weren't UV damaged and stretched beyond acceptability?

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

On the order of $10k for a good main and furling genoa out of dacron.

Thank you ... spot on response I was looking for.

[DennisM]

New stitching, stiffening, cleaning, replacing telltales, reinforcing slides. I'm not sure what UV damage would look like. I guess I didn't have any. And the sail was not stretched beyond acceptability. Once they stiffened it, it had less of a pocket in it. To my limited knowledge, it was pretty much good as new.

[virginia boy]

Can't break it down per sail right now, but I paid $6,751 for new tanbark, main, jib, and staysail from north sails.

Obviously your costs will be higher :-/

[skipmac]

Just paid a hair over USD$6,000 for a new full batten main and a 135% roller genoa. From a US sailmaker, not import.

[Paperbird]

Just got several estimates for dacron, cruising weight RF main and RF 135 jib for a 42' center cockpit. Range was roughly $3.5k - 6K for both. A little smaller than you're looking at, but should give you a datapoint.

PM me if you want specific vendor info.

Greg

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by Paperbird

Just got several estimates for dacron, cruising weight RF main and RF 135 jib for a 42' center cockpit. Range was roughly $3.5k - 6K for both. A little smaller than you're looking at, but should give you a datapoint.

PM me if you want specific vendor info.

Greg

Thanks very much for that info (and thanks to all the other posts). I will probably budget for about $8k - $10k for a main and genoa if it is needed.

[Khagan1227]

I like to use sailritesails.com, you can work up a budget price for nearly any boat out there, using different weight materials, number of reef points, etc.

The labor is calculated seperately, but is done at the same time.

[zeehag]

there is new vs used, high tech vs cruising--many kinds of sails--i like used. they work just fine for my needs, which is not racing.....

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by Khagan1227

I like to use sailritesails.com, you can work up a budget price for nearly any boat out there, using different weight materials, number of reef points, etc.

The labor is calculated separately, but is done at the same time.

Thanks, any idea what the current "trend" is as far as reefing goes (2 or 3 points)? I guess having more reefing points you have more options in a big blow but the costs increase a bit?

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by zeehag

there is new vs used, high tech vs cruising--many kinds of sails--i like used. they work just fine for my needs, which is not racing.....

Yeah, I will not be interested in high tech or racing so I guess good used sails if they can be found, will be fine and that will likely reduce the expected budget.

[bstreep]

We have several friends who have had sales made "offshore" and been very happy with them. I've heard it is common for many US sailmakers to have the sails mostly built in China, shipped here, and then finished up (grommets, battens, reinforcing, etc.).