cutting a larger used mainsail down to size?

[sailorjoey]

Hello all, great website here! I'm currently refitting my 1975 s2 8.0A. I bought it without a mainsail. The dimensions are 26' luff and 9' foot, with slugs to the mast and bolt rope to boom. I have found quite a few j22 sails used out there with good dimensions but no slugs and a loose foot. Would I be able to modify a j22 sail economically to make it work? Thanks for your responses!

[CharlieJ]

That's what we did on Necessity, many years ago. Cut it down from the foot, should do fine..

[Captain Smollett]

good dimensions but no slugs and a loose foot.

Welcome Aboard Sailfar!

Just to throw it out there, lots of folks (me included eventually) are going to loose footed mains on cruising boats.  The "opinion" on it varies, but it seems to be becoming more popular, even with sailmakers.  Port Townsend Sails, for example, recommends it on cruising boats.

So, if you think that might be up your alley, that eliminates a step in the modifications you'd have to make to that sail.