Cruising sails can seem to last forever. It’s not uncommon for twenty year old Mains or Genoas to still be doing long distance runs or local club races. The time for new sails is often the moment when the old ones self-destruct in a final blaze of shredded glory, or the local sail maker shakes his head sadly at the winter visit, and says he can’t do any more for them.

But there are very good reasons for upgrading sails on a more regular basis, not least of which is safety. It is not just a question of changing sails that are going to break – obviously it’s dangerous if a sail fails you at a critical moment. But more insidious is the loss of performance that comes with age. Sails that won’t hold their shape, and won’t drive you upwind off a lee shore with three reefs in, also hold a potential for real danger.

So how do you know when a sail has finally had its day? A potential breakdown should be visible in the condition of the sail. The loss of performance is more difficult to see, particularly in a cruising boat which doesn’t have the competitive performance yardstick of a racer. But perhaps when the sail finally refuses your trimming efforts and expertise – then it has had enough.

When the cloth has broken down and becomes so stretchy that even in the lightest winds you can no longer apply enough force to the edges or corners to pull it back into shape, then it is time to pitch the sail.

The purchase of a new sail can be a daunting task. If you are upgrading your sail inventory, breaking the situation down into smaller more manageable sections may make things easier. To help you navigate through these (sometimes) uncharted waters, the tips below provide smoother sailing and a better purchasing experience.

Before you pick up the phone or visit your local sail loft, or Distributor, ask yourself several questions.

Why am I thinking about buying a new sail?

• Is the sail showing signs of serious wear?

• What are my expectations from a new sail?
• Am I able to trim it into shape still?
• Is it for cruising, racing, or both?
• Am I consistently falling behind the pack?

Honest answers to these simple questions are a great starting point when entering the marketplace. Having specific goals in mind, like improving performance, safety or simplicity, will be invaluable when shopping for a new sail.

Need versus Budget
Budgeting for your sailing is no easier than budgeting for your home, however, as with much in lives, our sailing desires often outweigh our means. There are usually several large expenditures which crop up annually in the sailing budget. Prioritize, to get the most from your money. Refer to your goals for clues on how best to spend your hard-earned money. "Will I get a new cushions for comfort, a new dodger, or that new mainsail I have been needing for years?"

Ask yourself, "What purchase will most increase our sailing enjoyment? Are those old sails the reason we don't do any extended cruising? Are we worried about safety and reliability, or does it simply take too long to get anywhere using blown out sails?" The answers to these questions will help determine if you really need a new sail, and what will best suit your needs.

Remember, more expensive cloth is not necessarily better. You may find that opting for a Mylar sail instead of one made of Kevlar allows you to purchase a new set of Genoa sheets. This may get you to the weather mark faster than tying your old Dacron sheets to a new Kevlar Genoa. Building a sail from lighter, stronger cloth normally saves weight and increases range and durability. Novice racers, or if you plan to sell your boat in the next couple of years, opt for less expensive "lower tech" fabric. Don’t waste time on the complexities of cloth construction, strength graphs or different fibers. Spend more time on the shape and design of the sail. Rolly Tasker uses all types of cloths, including the ever popular Dacron which is commonly used by most sailmakers worldwide.

"To furl or not to furl . . that is the question." Some sailmakers provide hardware and sails together, but buyers should be aware of some general principals and hidden costs.

The advantage to the cruising sailor of furling headsails is ease of use. There is an added independence of managing the boat with fewer hands, and often in varying weather conditions. Against these benefits are two disadvantages – the initial cost of the system and aerodynamic inefficiency.

A solution to this problem is to use a radial cut sail (Tri-Radial). Although heavier cloth and foam luff will decrease inefficiencies of cross cut sails, a be better solution is to use a Tri-radial where a lighter cloth can be used for the same strength, when partially furled.

Beware of owning only one headsail. Shoreline Sails still recommends an additional storm sail, in case there is an emergency, and you need that added driving forward force through bad seas and weather.

With some creative thinking, there are hundreds of ways to save money when buying sails. You may want to add a roller furling system to your boat. The cost of the system, while expensive, may be tolerable. When combined with the added cost of modifying your Genoa to use on the furling gear, however, the entire package may be financially out of reach.

A possible solution? Make a minimal investment in your existing sail by adding the necessary luff tape but not the ultraviolet UV strip. Do this only if you have less than a full sailing season left, and if you know that you will replace the sail that fall or winter. Although a sail will take a few weeks of unprotected UV exposure it will eventually deteriorate under continued punishment. Meantime, your wallet may have recovered from the purchase of the furling system and you'll be able to purchase the sail you want rather than the sail you can afford.

The sail buying process should be fun and educational -- it doesn't have to be an exercise in frustration and arm curls with your checkbook.. Doing a little homework, setting goals and having realistic expectations should help you make a rewarding, economical purchase.

Ask for a quote, shop and compare, but be sure to compare "Apples to Apples" – there are a lot of different factors, and ‘extras’ that can sometimes add up and seem confusing.