Source
r/sailing•
Savet

Best source and options for new mainsail for 80's hunter 25?

The mainsail on my Hunter 25 has finally reached end of life and I'm shopping for a new main. My main use is inland cruising and limited club racing.

One of the first options I have found is the Hunter Owners store:

https://shop.hunterowners.com/cu/detail-sails.php

Is this the best bang for my buck or are there other vendors I should be giving equal consideration to in the $1000-1500 price bracket?

Also, I notice that the sail I'm replacing has 4 partial battens but the estimate page on the above link gives the option of full battens, and when choosing the # of full battens, they are added from the top down. Is there any reason not to do 4 full battens besides added cost? My cursory research leads me to believe that 2 full and 2 partial is the "best of both worlds." Would the community concur in this generalization?

I have the option of adding a cunningham or not. Is there any reason not to have a cunningham?

I also have the option of a standard vs. loose foot. For my use stated above, which of these options would you choose and why?

Thank you for any thoughts and input you have in helping me make these decisions.

Posted May 6, 2019, 1:14 AM UTC

43
Hammocktour•

I got a new main sail for a northstar 22 for about $700 from Atlantic Sail Traders in Sarasota, FL. Fred ships all over the world! Tell him the guy who dropped off his old crumbling squirrel-eaten sails personally sentcha!

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Alex--WSeattle: Express 37 "re-Quest"•

Hunter owners.com is just a parked domain, you can find the same "brand specific store" for most big sailboat brands.

You'll probably get the best sail from a local loft who can measure your boat and talk to you about your sailing style to recommend the right sail for you.

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AdmiralMaggieC&C 30•

Get a cunningham cringle. It really adds more control to shape your main. Also, I like the loose footed sails. Easier to maintain and control.

As far as sources for a sail, contact a local sail loft if you have one (Like Quantum Sails etc). If you're looking for used sail, look at Bacon Sails in Annapolis, Maryland. You have an option of ordering from online offshore shops like FXSails but keep in mind that YMMV.

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