Jib Dilemna

Our main

New factory jib $500

Used jib $100

Used jib

Used jib

We have a decision to make.

As you know, the new Holder has no jib. I've been working the discussion groups & have come up with 2 alternatives--a new jib which is the exact match of our main for $500 & a well-used jib that does not match for $100. Both include shipping.

I also talked to Supersailmakers in Lauderdale. They have them on sale for $379 plus $39 if we want a window. These come with a wire luff instead of hanks. Hanks would be another $40. Or we could have a single color for $322 plus window. Some of the colors are "premium" & cost more. A plain white one would be $281--a really good price compared to any others I found. These prices would all be plus tax & shipping. Fabrication time is 2-3 weeks.

http://www.supersailmakers.com/hobie-one-sails/hobie-one-14-jib/

The factory jibs are no longer made & are hard to find. This was a stroke of luck. But it's expensive. We got the boat for $850 based on the missing jib--$350 off the asking. With a window, tax and shipping the Supersailmaker one would be almost as much as the factory one & we could have it sooner.

The older used jib is from a previous model--the Holder 14 as opposed to the Holder 14 Mark II which we have but will apparently work. Our model has a shorter mast but the jib is shorter than the forestay so should be fine. I have not found specs directly comparing the size of the 2 jibs.

I like a bargain, so it's hard for me to recommend the $500 jib. But as you'll see, the boat we bought is exceptionally clean--like new. I've seen Holders like this advertised for as much as $2000 so I don't think it's extreme to spend so much. But how important is color? White or a single color might be just fine.

I haven't tried negotiating with the seller of the new jib. He might accept less but was quite firm that he bought it new & never put it on the boat--that "it never saw the sun" & all he wants out of it is what he paid for it.

I'd like to get your opinions.

Ted