Not everyone can afford a brand new main every season. Most people are racing
with mains that are two, three or four years old. Many of these sails don't look
too great, but you can make an old sail go faster.
As mainsails age, they generally get tighter leeched, draft-aft and fuller. This
means you should compensate with the following:
Use more cunningham to pull the draft forward.
Be careful not to over-trim the main sheet.
Batten retrofit
There are several ways you can breathe more racing life into aweathered main.
One of these is to have your sailmaker retrofit to the longest possible battens.
Extending the battens into the low-load area of the sail can do wonders for that
wrinkled, baggy look.
Re-cut the sail
Another suggestion is to take photos of your main in action, and show these to
your sailmaker. Often they can perform a face-lift that will move some of the
draft from the back to the front again.
Sail care
Treat your main well so it will stay fast as long as possible. Don't let it flog
in the wind. Fold the main sail well after each day's use..
Sources:
(1) www.arklowsc.ie
(2) Annapolis Guide to Seamanship