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New mainsail

5K views 21 replies 15 participants last post by  mitiempo 
#1 ·
I could use some advice on buying a new mainsail for my 30 foot sloop. I do coastal cruising. Looking for a heavier cruising sail rather than racing. What do you know about these sailmakers I am looking at. North sails $1400 for a 7 oz. $1700 for nsp premium dacron. Bacon sails $1600. FX sails 7.3 oz. $1500. Scott 6.5 oz. National sail supply 6.5 oz. $1200.
 
#2 ·
Hi islands,

About two years ago I was faced with a similar decision on my 28 foot. I decided to go with a smaller local sail shop. Their prices were about middle of the road between North (most expensive) and Doyle (least expensive). I did a lot of checking into the shop I went with.. reputation.. references.. satisfaction.. service, etc. Two years later I can't tell you how unbelievably happy I am that I went with a local shop. Here's why: customer service.

I subsequently bought a new head sail and had my three other headsails adapted for my new roller furler. He's also built a new sail cover for my main sail. Any time I have a question or need a small change, I have someone to turn to that I can get to quickly. I decided to try my hand at racing, so I took my main sail back to have my numbers put on. He did it for free. I had a small problem with my new headsail that was a manufacturing problem so I took it back.. Fixed it for free plus fixed a small tear I had put in the luff rope which was completely my fault.. Changed to a loose footed main sail.. he did that for free.. wanted a bigger outhaul slide for the boom--free.

The sails are, of course, of the highest quality and are wearing fine (which is obviously the #1 benefit). Any time I need a sail tune up, have a question or need something done, I can call _the guy_ who made my sail. Plus I'm supporting my local economy! :)

It was actually the North salesman that kind of convinced me. I felt like I was buying a car from a car salesman when I talked to him. It was almost like "What can I do to get you into this sail today." Plus the sails are generally made over seas. What a drag if you get your sail back and there's a fitting problem or stitching problem or other change.. Can't talk to the person who built it. Plus the sails are a little more "cookie cutter".. Steve designed my sail, the shape, size, everything to the way I wanted it.

Good luck.

Erik
 
#3 ·
I would second the local sailmakers, some are much better than the big boys.

But I found them to be so far out of my price range that I just gave up on the idea of getting a new sail. Then I got a quote from Hong Kong sails. More work, more risk, but lower shipping costs (yep) and it was less than 1/2 of the average quote (those that bothered), almost 1/3 of a sailmaker I would have preferred to use.

So I would say use a local sailmaker, they'll have better service, better advice (you have to know what you want if you order over the net) and having that relationship can more than cover the extra costs...if they fit in your budget.
 
#4 ·
National Sail- top quality materials, excellent workmanship, great advice and support, very reasonable price. I bought two RF headsails and wouldn't hesitate to order a main or any other sail from them. This is for offshore cruising sails, racing might be a different situation.
 
#6 ·
One fellow sailor ordered sails from FX sails in DECEMBER, and still has not received them.
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
I bought a light #1 genny from National (Dirk) many yrs ago and always placed in the top 3. I carried it in a little heavier air than designed many a time and only re-broad seamed it once on 3 seams to move the bag forward and stay competitive. Dirk represents Rolly Tasker in Phuket Thailand. MANY of the large name lofts use off shore manufacturing locations. If you want an American Loft for racing, or that personal touch, Pineapple Sails in Alameda, CA would be my choice.
 
#12 ·
I think that the local vs national decision depends on what is available in your local area. There are a very limited number of lofts in the Vancouver area.

Our sailing co-op used a local company, called Storch Sails for the longest time. Unfortunately, Gary is now pretty much retired in Nanaimo. Great for Gary; not so great for Vancouver Sailors.

The sails on our recently purchased Mirage 29' were cut by Doyle sails, in Seattle, in 2006. I can't say I'm real impressed, but one of the PO's liked to do stuff on the cheap.

However, since buying the boat last fall, my experience has been that not all North Sails are alike. Our co-op began using them when Gary retired, and I took our foresail in, to have a proper UV strip added. Our club has been very pleased with both quality of work and price. The same holds true for me, and I even got quotes from the other local lofts.

Let's put it this way: my experience has been good enough that I would ask them for a quote when I replace the sails.
 
#14 ·
If it were me, look at Ullmans CAL main, about 1500-1600 for a 30' boat depending upon the size. That was my quote for a fully roached, 2 reef, 2 full/partial battens. It is a laminate, slightly lighter wt than an equal dacron, same life span etc.

Marty
 
#15 ·
Thanks for the great advice. The least expensive sail from National sounds like a good way to go. I am waiting on an estimate from Ullmans. The original sail was from there and it lasted 30 years. I will probably go local with North. I sail out of the Chesapeake and visit Annapolis alot. They offer a triradial cut sail for $2000. Is triradial construction over crosscut worth the extra money?
 
#16 ·
Islands50:

Have you checked Bacon's "consigment" inventory? I just bought a new, unused sail by Pope for $800 for my Coronado 25. I brought my 40 year-old main in, and it's a perfect match. Well, it has just a little more roach. Amazing.
 
#17 ·
As far as straight dacron goes, I have 6 new sails over the last 6 yrs of owning my boat, NONE of them are dacron other than the 110 which is a crosscut/tri radial dac/mylar as you are looking at.
Reason I have gone with laminates, one the cloth is slightly lighter, here in PNW/puget sound, we get a lot of light wind days, ie under 10 knots. The laminates pickup the zephers better. One of the sails is a 1.5oz contender spin cloth 130 drifter. Works wonderfull in winds under 6-7 knots.

My cruiser 140 is the ullman CAL. 155 and main are fiberpath/string sails, I race a lot too. In hind sight, I should have done the CAL main. Along with a spin that the boat did not have.

I personally with the way laminates are made today, cost of many etc, do not see that dacron is the way to go from a longevity or cost standpoint. The lower cost dacs are 2-3 generation ago dacron, so yes they will be cheaper. They will work too. I know of one local with Cruising Direct now north outlet sails. He knew they were older generation dacron.

Make sure you understand what you are getting too.

This is my .02 not that it is worth much. But reasons for doing what I did, choose what you like, disregard what you do not like. Sail material is a pretty wide range of what to do vs not to do subject with varied answers across a wide range of what to do.

marty
 
#21 ·
Hey man, Bacon will match or beat any price on a sail and they are made well and if you are like me and local to Annapolis then they are your choice.

My $.02

Josh
 
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