I have to replace my mainsail for my O'Day 30........I've looked in magazines and upon close exaimination - even though it says it is for my boat - the dimensions really aren't the same. I've talked to a loft and they can make me one for nominally more.....either themselves or by "contracting" off shore and saving me about 15%. Anyone have advice......I'm leaning towards having it made offshore which is quicker and cheaper....the loft will stand behind the sail (so they say).
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Geof
My $.02 ....
I bought a main from a local loft last year. Had a problem and he corrected it for free. Maybe spent 10% more, no shipping costs, I got to hang at the loft and talk about my boat, I got to see lots of boat related stuff and I supported a guy who's running a business employeeing folks. And oh yeah, I got to make all the little decisions about my sail and discuss and inspect the details of the sail with the craftsman. When I call them on the phone, we actually chat a little. They even remember how I like my name pronounced. I didn't just buy a sail, I recieved all the intangibles of the experience and I believe this enhances my boating experience. Also, I didn't buy two sails as I thought I needed when I walked through the door, I had the two I wanted to replace with me, and he actually convinced me to buy the replacements seperately to see if a different cut on the main was going to solve my issues. Eventually I can replace the Genoa if the problem persists. So in many ways I saved over half the cost right there. Also, there are many reasons these days to save your money by going off-shore to get the goods you want, but I would humbly suggest that the folks who work in the industry that supports our pastime here deserve our support too. The local sail loft, and I intentionally selected a small non-chain loft, does more to fit my needs than just outfitting the boat. Geof s/v Day-O
I bought a main from a local loft last year. Had a problem and he corrected it for free. Maybe spent 10% more, no shipping costs, I got to hang at the loft and talk about my boat, I got to see lots of boat related stuff and I supported a guy who's running a business employeeing folks. And oh yeah, I got to make all the little decisions about my sail and discuss and inspect the details of the sail with the craftsman. When I call them on the phone, we actually chat a little. They even remember how I like my name pronounced. I didn't just buy a sail, I recieved all the intangibles of the experience and I believe this enhances my boating experience. Also, I didn't buy two sails as I thought I needed when I walked through the door, I had the two I wanted to replace with me, and he actually convinced me to buy the replacements seperately to see if a different cut on the main was going to solve my issues. Eventually I can replace the Genoa if the problem persists. So in many ways I saved over half the cost right there. Also, there are many reasons these days to save your money by going off-shore to get the goods you want, but I would humbly suggest that the folks who work in the industry that supports our pastime here deserve our support too. The local sail loft, and I intentionally selected a small non-chain loft, does more to fit my needs than just outfitting the boat. Geof s/v Day-O
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Frank Ladd
Local lofts can better when they are available
Some local lofts are better than others. If you know just what you want a reputable loft overseas might be OK, but if you have problems it will take more time and money to fix them. I spilt the difference because there is no loft in my area, I picked Sabre Sails. They have a good reputation, excellent service and good prices. They are only about a day away by UPS. I did not pick Rolley Tasker or Lee sails because I wanted something a little different for my boat and I wanted to make certain it would fit right. If I had to do it over I might save the 15% and send it overseas or I might not. The best time of year to order a sail is in the fall for winter delivery. You'll get the lowest price and the most attention then.
Some local lofts are better than others. If you know just what you want a reputable loft overseas might be OK, but if you have problems it will take more time and money to fix them. I spilt the difference because there is no loft in my area, I picked Sabre Sails. They have a good reputation, excellent service and good prices. They are only about a day away by UPS. I did not pick Rolley Tasker or Lee sails because I wanted something a little different for my boat and I wanted to make certain it would fit right. If I had to do it over I might save the 15% and send it overseas or I might not. The best time of year to order a sail is in the fall for winter delivery. You'll get the lowest price and the most attention then.
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Rodd C.
National Sail Supply
Call Dirk at National Sail Supply in Florida! I have purchased 5 sails from him and he just shipped my new full batten main on Friday. His prices are incredible and the quality is far better than the set of Doyle Sails that came with this boat. I just ordered a full batten maine for my C-36 with 8oz Challenge sail cloth, two reef points, hull number, insignia, tripple stiched, and hand finished leather delivered from Florida to Maine for $1358.00! Last July I purchased a new 135% genny and love it!!!! Best quality and best prices by a long shot. Other people sell Rolly Tasker sails but not everyone specs them the same way Dirk does! I called two other Tasker dealers and both of them wanted to charge an upgrade for tripple stitching and hand finished leather. Taking your own measurements is easy! Go to Lowes or the depot and buy a cloth (the kind you roll up by hand onto the reel) 50 or 60 foot tape measure and Dirk can guide you through the rest. I hope this helps!! Click on "Related Link" to be taken to the National Sail Supply site... -Rodd C.
Call Dirk at National Sail Supply in Florida! I have purchased 5 sails from him and he just shipped my new full batten main on Friday. His prices are incredible and the quality is far better than the set of Doyle Sails that came with this boat. I just ordered a full batten maine for my C-36 with 8oz Challenge sail cloth, two reef points, hull number, insignia, tripple stiched, and hand finished leather delivered from Florida to Maine for $1358.00! Last July I purchased a new 135% genny and love it!!!! Best quality and best prices by a long shot. Other people sell Rolly Tasker sails but not everyone specs them the same way Dirk does! I called two other Tasker dealers and both of them wanted to charge an upgrade for tripple stitching and hand finished leather. Taking your own measurements is easy! Go to Lowes or the depot and buy a cloth (the kind you roll up by hand onto the reel) 50 or 60 foot tape measure and Dirk can guide you through the rest. I hope this helps!! Click on "Related Link" to be taken to the National Sail Supply site... -Rodd C.
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R.W.Landau
Ask your local loft
I asked my local loft about some of the offshore lofts. You are buying generic sails. A local loft can make a sail to match your boat and your sailing style. They can make fuller or flatter sails that fit your boat. If you don't care how well the sail trims,the offshore lofts are cheap and fast. You will find that most local lofts are picky about the sail cloth they use. After all, they stand behind their product. r.w.landau
I asked my local loft about some of the offshore lofts. You are buying generic sails. A local loft can make a sail to match your boat and your sailing style. They can make fuller or flatter sails that fit your boat. If you don't care how well the sail trims,the offshore lofts are cheap and fast. You will find that most local lofts are picky about the sail cloth they use. After all, they stand behind their product. r.w.landau
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Sailormannj
Go to Eggars in NJ
If you are near South Amboy, go to Eggars on Rt 35. They have made a sail for me and for by friends at the marina. Good service, good sail and they fix it if something is wrong. Try Eggars.
If you are near South Amboy, go to Eggars on Rt 35. They have made a sail for me and for by friends at the marina. Good service, good sail and they fix it if something is wrong. Try Eggars.
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Bob Todd
Both my sails...
..for my O'day 272LE were built by Cruising Direct (Div of North Sails) for a total of $1,236.00 delivered. Fit was perfect and quality was spot on. Link to Druising Direct on my web page below. Cheers, Bob
..for my O'day 272LE were built by Cruising Direct (Div of North Sails) for a total of $1,236.00 delivered. Fit was perfect and quality was spot on. Link to Druising Direct on my web page below. Cheers, Bob
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Bob Howie
Local Lofts
I've written about this a zillion times, but to keep it short this time; stay with the local people. Believe me, offshore sails aren't worth the hassle and I have found that ounce for ounce, they are less quality than what you get local. Plus, for the little extra you pay for locally-made sails, what you really get is your hands around some local guy's throat if there is a screw-up. Support the local people; it's worth your money.
I've written about this a zillion times, but to keep it short this time; stay with the local people. Believe me, offshore sails aren't worth the hassle and I have found that ounce for ounce, they are less quality than what you get local. Plus, for the little extra you pay for locally-made sails, what you really get is your hands around some local guy's throat if there is a screw-up. Support the local people; it's worth your money.
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Julio
2nd Cruising Sails Direct
CSD is North Sails. Excellent quality & good customer support at a reduced cost. I also do NOT recommend using an offshore supplier. A dock mate paid less and got what he paid for... sails that were made well, but made of inferior cloth that were lost their shape after one season. Using a local loft is the best bet, but CSD is a *great* alternative. (and no, I don't work for them..)
CSD is North Sails. Excellent quality & good customer support at a reduced cost. I also do NOT recommend using an offshore supplier. A dock mate paid less and got what he paid for... sails that were made well, but made of inferior cloth that were lost their shape after one season. Using a local loft is the best bet, but CSD is a *great* alternative. (and no, I don't work for them..)
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Skip
Save $$$: not just a little
You are all saying, save a little if I buy locally. I'm shopping for a new suite (main + genny) of sails for my Elite 324. I shopped the Seattle Boat Show, where I got quotes from all the lofts that were there. That includes Quantum, North, HalseyLidgard, Lee, SailsEastNW, plus a number of others that I can't think of right now. The local and national lofts are more like 50% higher. Thats not a little, it's well over $1000 more to buy locally. I'm hard pressed to justify that cost. What appears to be the best price/quality (based on demo products and sales pitch, I'll let you know more when I make my purchase) is SailsEastNW. They use US cloth (Challenger?), ship it to HK for cutting and sewing, and send the result back. For a savings of $1000, I can add an asym spinaker to the order and break even!
You are all saying, save a little if I buy locally. I'm shopping for a new suite (main + genny) of sails for my Elite 324. I shopped the Seattle Boat Show, where I got quotes from all the lofts that were there. That includes Quantum, North, HalseyLidgard, Lee, SailsEastNW, plus a number of others that I can't think of right now. The local and national lofts are more like 50% higher. Thats not a little, it's well over $1000 more to buy locally. I'm hard pressed to justify that cost. What appears to be the best price/quality (based on demo products and sales pitch, I'll let you know more when I make my purchase) is SailsEastNW. They use US cloth (Challenger?), ship it to HK for cutting and sewing, and send the result back. For a savings of $1000, I can add an asym spinaker to the order and break even!
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