You're right about aging in the TX sun, the one I looked at last week didn't look so good, the fiber structure was showing pretty good as well as there were small holes developing either from wear or breakdown of thinner parts.

I've got a 76 with a loose top and was thinking the new pullies on top would make pulling the sail up easier but I didn't realize I had to take off 4 ft or so of the mast to get the new pullies. I think I'll just seal it up and re-rivet the top back on.