How to buy a sail?

[grinfax]

I have had my boat for 2 years now. It was an oldish boat (1982 Tartan 3000) with old sails. I had other things to fix so I kept postponing buying new sails while fixing the other things. The jib finally blew. It was a UK sails 155% Genoa cut for racing. It must have been really nice when it was younger, but it still sailed really well even with all the mildew on it. I need to buy a new sail and don't know what to look for. I keep the sail on a roller reefer, I like to cruise but on occasions race. Sails these days are coming in different cuts and materials, many of which I don't know. I'd like something practical that sails well and fast. What should I be looking for?

My second question is about buying from small sail-makers. I live in Miami and there is a small sail-maker called Bremen Sails which people seem to recommend. Is it safe to buy a sail from them or it's better to go with Doyle, UK Sails or North Sails? Anywhere else I should look?

Thank you.

Kim

[Faster]

I think in many cases you can get good service and value from a small local independant sail maker. Generally prices can be lower and they need to be pretty well service oriented to stay in business with major lofts nearby.

Arguably you may get a notch better performing sail from the major players, but even so, again, arguably the average (casual racer) sailor isn't necessarily going to see the difference. But if the local outfit is strictly a cruising sail loft and you do want to race, they may not be the one you want to deal with.

When it comes to choosing a sail, you're going to hear about a lot of different materials and cuts. You'll have to have an idea if you're primarily after performance, longevity or low cost. The sailmaker should be able to help you with that decision.

[blt2ski]

Mack sails is another that should be reasonably close to you from a small to med loft size stand point. There is a fellow chesapeak area with a boat like mine and one of their cross cut mainsails he likes.

Otherwise as faster says, what you choose is up to you. I have pretty much all laminate sails. My main is a uk tape drive. the 155 is an Ullman Fiberpath, again a tape style laminate. I do have a 140 from Ullman, CAL, ie Cruise Axis Laminate, a laminate that is priced on par with the better to best dacron sails. Less stretch, so far lasting as long as dacron etc. I use this sail for cruising day sailing.

I also have a North soft norlam I got the same summer I bought the boat 4 yrs ago, dacron/mylar tri radial. nice sail for the cost too. but the CAL s less money, stretches less etc. making the CAL a better deal in my book. I know of one person with a 155 cal on his Irwin, rolls tighter than the 140 dacron he replaced, along with sails better, shape is better etc.

Choose your poison.........

Marty

[JimsCAL]

I would say your choice would be between a dacron crosscut sail or a triradial cut made of laminate cloth. The crosscut will be less expensive but the triradial will perform better. Get quotes from a couple of lofts for each.

[grinfax]

Thank you all for your advice