[ABH3 Boyer]

I am looking to purchase a new main sail for my 26 ft trailer sailor on a budget. I found a place online that will sell me a new darcon main sail with 3 reefing points for the low price of $747 plus shipping. Seems like a deal to me except for the fact that I don't know anything about buying sails. My other option is to go to one of the limited sail makers in the Buffalo NY area and hope I can afford what they offer or possibly buy used. Wondering if anyone has any experience with buying on line or even specifically buying from Precision sail loft. If anyone from my local area has experience with a local shop I would love to hear about it. Buying anything online scares the hell out of me. I also always buy local if I can afford to.

 

[Sailormon6]

I ordered two sails online and the mainsail was a good one, but the jib was pure awful. Also, the mainsail was sent with the wrong slides, so I had to replace them all. You might get a good sail, but I wouldn't order online again. I'd pay another $100-$200 and deal with a local sailmaker with a good reputation that will be close at hand to correct it if there's a problem.

When you order online, most online sellers don't usually go into much detail about the measurement of the sails. If you'll look at the following link, you'll see how much detail North Sails wants in order to make a good, proper fitting mainsail for you. http://na.northsails.com/RADUPLOADS/InstallationGuides/MainsailMeasurementForm.pdf

 

[Faster]

Buying on line makes it difficult to expect quick service if the sail needs some 'tweaks', as many do once actually installed. If you buy from a local that's all part of the package.

I think buying spinnakers on line may be OK since the 'fit' is less critical, but again you still want a 'good' sail shape and online there's less likelihood of a painless alteration if needed.

 

[sailingfool]

A few years ago I ordered a new main from FX Sails. I received a sail smaller than I ordered, due to confusion between the order-taker and the sail-maker. After months of emails and back-and-forths I was basically told too bad, and I had to live with it.

A year ago I bought a new genoa from the local Doyle loft, paying perhaps 30-40% more than on-line. The sail fit perfectly. I had a problem with the leech line loosening, I took the sail back and that was quickly corrected. I smile everytime I un-furl this sail.

In my opinion it was money well-spent. I would only consider buying online if the sail you are ordering comes out of a catalog, i.e. is the equivalent of a one design sail.

.

 

[MarkSF]

My suggestion would be to, at least, get a quote from your local loft. I had assumed it would be far more expensive than the interweb, but it was not. The local sailmaker was willing to give me quite a good deal as I was a first-time customer.

Also worth noting is that I got free repairs for a few years. Well, I haven't needed any, but I did get him to inspect both sails after a couple of years.

 

[RichH]

A local sail loft will have MANY advantage over a cookie-cutter online loft.

1. They can build the sail based on YOUR helmsmanship ability .... or to the 'next plateau' that youre striving for.
2. Will build the sail to the shape required for the most common wind and seastate conditions for YOUR sailing venue.
3. Will usually (should) come to your boat to take the exact measurements
4. Will want you as a long term repeat customer .... so expect their customer service (and your satisfaction) to be better.
All the above should be discussed and negotiated during the 'quote phase'. Negotiate the price.

Such can be done with an online loft; but, if you dont know the questions to ask, etc. you wont get the same 'cut'.

Usually it costs a bit more from a local loft; but, that added value is usually worth it in the long run, especially if the sail is made/sewn locally instead of constructed 'offshore'; and especially, if the sail needs 'corrections' after delivery.

 

[capta]

I've ALWAYS had sails made by a sailmaker I could meet and speak to, until recently. These sailmakers and I developed a personal relationship that spanned many years, and vessels. Each new sail was brought to the boat and hanked on and sailed for the first time WITH the sailmaker. There was pride there; I didn't have to say, "See that, how about we fix it?", but instead he said, "Wow, let me get this back into my loft, I see a few thing I'd like to tweak."
On an 80+ foot schooner I operated, my employers ordered a complete suit of sails from a local loft (well known name sailmaker) that represented a Chinese manufacturer. This was a BIG order; BIG bucks. Some months after the order we got a call to come pick up the sails and the loft never sent a single person to check out these sails. I was flabbergasted.
Personally, I can't imagine spending thousands on a sail (even if it saves me a thousand or more) on the pig in a poke that online sails are.
We are lucky enough to have some quality sailmakers on some of the Caribbean islands who still have pride in their work and the time to discuss their customers' needs. I will not be filling out some form online when I order our next sail. Instead, I will sit down with a friend and chat about many things, including our new sail.

 

[jrd22]

Well, I'll go against the majority here and recommend National Sails in Florida (Rolly Tasker Sails). We have bought two, both offshore RF headsails, and couldn't be happier with the fit, quality, durability, and help with measuring, cloth type/weight, etc. Dirk has been there a long time and if you search SN you will find many strong recommendations for both him and Rolly Tasker. I wasn't impressed with the local lofts I had dealt with (there are several here) so I decided to take a chance and ordered the first sail. I was so impressed I ordered another a year later and both sails are still in excellent shape 5-6 years later. Oh, and the price difference was anywhere from 30-50% less than the local lofts, but you do need to know how to use a tape measure)

 

[CLucas]

There a re defintiely a few more potential failure points if you choose to order. online. First, ordering online will require that *you* provide accurate measurements. I ordered a main online year and did a full set of measurements on about 3 different occasions to make certain I had accurate numbers (my own type-A/OCD). Having a local loft takes some of the mystery/responsibility out of that equation since they will come to your boat and take the measurements they need. The next factor to consider is who is actually making the sail -- your local loft may still have your sail made offshore, potentially saving both of you some expense of having them made locally. Not all offshore lofts are created equal. Some are experts at their craft and others are not. Whoever you use, local or not, , ask lots of questions -- make sure the sailmaker knows your expectations, ask about materials, construction, batten configurations, reefpoints, cunningham cringles, roach, loose foot vs shelf foot etc... I ordered a main online last year from National Sail Supply (Rolly Tasker -- made in Phuket). The sail is great -- Dirk at National Sail answered all my questions and absolutely nailed it. I did my research, obsessed with measurements and was thrilled with the result. I'm not convinced I would have had the same result with option #2 or 3. My local Doyle loft is awesome and they are all rockstars. They've built sails for me as well -- when they needed tweeking, the owner of the loft would come out for a sail so he could observe what I was reporting before anyone even touches the sail. You won't get that level of service out of anyone online.

 

[arf145]

Well, I'll go against the majority here and recommend National Sails in Florida (Rolly Tasker Sails) ... Dirk has been there a long time and if you search SN you will find many strong recommendations for both him and Rolly Tasker.

I'm one of them--bought a main for my previous boat from Dirk and was very happy with the fit and quality.

 

[CaptMikey]

if you buy local you can a address any problems face to face in quick order. if you buy online buy the time you get a problem corrected sailing season could almost be over.

 

[Minnewaska]

I've not purchased online, but those vendors must come in many shapes and sizes. Some are likely to be good shops that are looking for a way to grow their business beyond their borders. Others are just outlets for cheap crap made in a sweat shop overseas. Naturally, I would avoid the latter.

If you're on a budget, I would consider taking measurements and shopping for a used sail. Worst case, you sell it back at a small loss as opposed to losing it all on a bad new sail.

Otherwise, a local sail loft is truly good value. My neighbor actually had a brand new name brand sail (brand actually mentioned in previous post above) that began to tear for no apparent reason. They made good on it. Order online and you may have a worthless sail.

The saying goes like this........ "spend a little too much and waste a little, spend a little too little and waste it all."

 

[miatapaul]

I think it also really depends on your use for the sails. If you are going to be racing then you will likely need a local guy who knows what works and what the competition is using. If you are day sailing then either used or internet sails should work fine, but do check local. If you are planning on passagemaking then it is hard to say, lots of Rolly Tasker sails out there so they must be doing something right. Keep in mind many local guys are ordering from the same places in asia anymore so you may in fact be getting the exact same sail you would get online, but you have someone local to support it and back it up.

 

[lancelot9898]

I too had good experiences buying both a mainsail and a staysail from Dirk. The mainsail had a requirement for putting in an over the top leach line adjustment which was done as requested. (Thanks to Rich H for that suggestion) Also Mainesail was the one who recommened Dirk.

 

[RichH]

I too had good experiences buying both a mainsail and a staysail from Dirk. The mainsail had a requirement for putting in an over the top leach line adjustment which was done as requested. (Thanks to Rich H for that suggestion) Also Mainesail was the one who recommened Dirk.

Thanks. An over-the-top leech line allows one to adjust leach tension from the base of the mast (or from the cockpit) and avoids hanging over the side of the boat while hanging on to the boom to stop the destructive leech flutter ... a safety concern. You can adjust the leech from either the leech side or the luff side, it can be applied when reefed or deep reefed; saves a LOT of wear and tear on the sail especially in storm conditions.

 

[VallelyJ]

I never bought a new sail. But I wouldn't buy a sail made in China if they were giving them away. Sails cost what a local maker charges for them. Comparing that cost with the cost of a Chinese sail is apples & oranges.
Know the Chinese word for 'quality'? There isn't one.
End rant.

 

[Ritchard]

This fellow is not far from you, has a great reputation and very reasonable prices.

Somerset_Sails

 

[masterofnone]

I usually end up getting free sails but im running around marinas and boatyards on a regular basis. since you stressed budget, the sails I've purchased from lofts have all been inspected, graded and priced accordingly. Take a look at masthead s online database. When your sail dimensions are entered you are given the sails of that size with cloth weight, construction, condition grading etc along with price.

 

[aloof]

I have ordered online twice. Both times the result was poor. The first time the sail simply had a poor shape - lumpy. The second time they had a long measuring form which, knowing what I am doing, completed perfectly. Unfortunately the idiot designer who surely has never even seen a boat from his inland cubicle with a little computer screen simply made the sail to my P and E dimensions. A sailmaker who has actually been on a boat would know that a Dacron sail needs to be considerably smaller than P and E to fit properly when in use. Kinda like buying Raymarine products: no designer there has ever sailed on a boat either.

"Looks like a triangular piece of white cloth. Ship it!"

 

[miatapaul]

I never bought a new sail. But I wouldn't buy a sail made in China if they were giving them away. Sails cost what a local maker charges for them. Comparing that cost with the cost of a Chinese sail is apples & oranges.
Know the Chinese word for 'quality'? There isn't one.
End rant.

Well unless you see them make it locally many if not most "local loft" sails are made in Asia.

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