Any Disadvantages to Mylar Sails for Cruising?

[GetawayMirage24]

Hey All, I have the opportunity to pick up a used Mylar Genoa in really nice shape and for a great price, ideally suited to my Mirage 24 and the furling system I have, with #6 Luff Tape, Leech and Foot Lines, UV Protection, etc. I have no desire whatsoever to race (been there, done that, and had more than enough!) and so will be using this strictly for cruising. Any disadvantages to racing with a used sail do not matter in any way. It will be a bit of a deck sweeper but I can live with that. Are there any disadvantages to a Mylar Genoa as a cruising sail, or anything else I should consider about doing so? Use will be strictly Lake Ontario Coastal Cruising. Cheers!

[Stumble]

Mylar film sails have a long history of growing mold in between the layers. For a sail stored outside of a furler this could be an issue.

[leftbrainstuff]

Mylar for cruising? They're not known for their durability.

If you can get it for free then all is good. I personally wouldn't pay for it.

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[Steadman Uhlich]

Coastal Cruising?
Since you are talking about local "coastal cruising" I see no big negative if the price is attractive to you, and you handle the sail well (not abusing it with a small crew dragging it over sharp things on deck etc.).

Offshore Cruising or Circumnavigation?
But, if someone reading this thread (because of the title) considers a mylar sail for offshore long distance cruising (such as a circumnavigation), I think the issue is "repair" when needed in remote locations or underway and your crew's ability to make the repairs last and hold for another 2,000 miles or more, while depending on that sail to get you where you want to go.

Circumnavigators sometimes take several years to finish, and because of that I think it would be preferable to have a nice, quality, good condition, Dacron "Cruising" sail that could be sewn up easily by a two person or singlehanded crew, if it blows during a crossing and the sail requires some repair by the crew.

That's how I see it.

Hope that helps.