"FOREVER"

CANVAS

 

The sprayhood had seen better days and although not torn it was worn and heavily stained with mildew. We contacted Chris Scanes at Exe Sails and Covers who paid the yard a visit. We had seen a sprayhood on a Najad that we liked with a perspex window above the windscreen and a separate handrail behind the canvas. Chris saw the images we had and said he could make and supply an identical model in most colours. We choose navy blue -  a colour that would hide the inevitable dirt! We also ordered a stackpack system from him in the same colour. These items will be measured and then made when 1) the new cockpit screen is in place and 2) when the mainsail is in position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAILS

 

When we bought "Forever" she came with the following list of sails:

 

Furling Mainsail
Furling Genoa
Spare Furling Genoa
Medium Jib
Storm Jib
Radial Cut Spinnaker with snuffer

 

The furling mainsail was badly damaged and beyond repair, so much so that a new mainsail was required. After extensive research, we came to the conclusion that optimal sail performance was sacrificed with a furling mainsail. Thus, despite the extra work deck work involved in raising and lowering a slab reefing mainsail, we opted for such a mainsail.

 

The rest of the sails were taken away by Chris to the sail loft in Topsham and examined. The initial news was not good. There were two furling genoas - one light and one heavy. Both were badly worn and the heavy genoa had extensive UV damage to the leech because no UV strip was ever installed! It tore so readily with manipulation that it was discarded. The lighter genoa had also extensive UV damage which made it too unusable.

 

The medium jib and the storm jibs were hanked and for use on the second forestay. They were in tolerable condition and could be readily salvaged. The news kept getting better! The spinnaker was in "pristine" condition but the snuffer was beyond repair.

 

Thus, we have asked Chris to repair the two small jibs and to make a new snuffer for the spinnaker.

 

We then contacted Des McWilliams in Crosshaven and haggled extensively about the cost of getting a new mainsail and a new genoa made in Co. Cork. After lengthy telephone calls he agreed to produce "two very fine sails for nothing".