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.
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.
