Back in 2007, I was calling the line on the pin boat for the Melges 32 Nationals in Newport. Someone on the boat made the comment that all the competitors had new sails for that event, and that a set of sails (I think just main and jib) cost $16,000 at that time.
My response: I can buy two whole boats for that (Hobie 16 at the time)!!!
Granted, a 32 carries much larger sails than a 24, but WOW...
Mike
Not true!! I was crewing on the one boat that didn't have new sails... and we got destroyed!