Ok, so I get this price for some good quality race sails from a so called reputable manufacturer. Lossa lossa bucks. $5000 for a hi tech main, and $5000 for a #1 genoa. If I used them alot over a 2-3 seasons there done, and it's time to buy them again. Now I hear of this this company in Florida which offers an alternative...Nuclear Sails. They are half the cost and I am told (not by them) that they possibly will last just as long as the so called big company makers. So what should I do? Pay alot for race sails that last 2-3 years. Pay less for sails that last 2-3 years. Comments
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And maybe not
And maybe they don't last 2-3 years, or anywhere near as long as others. Have you talked to Nuclear about how their sails are made and how long they expect them to last? They may last 20 years if you only take them out on cloudy 10-knot days. They may stretch out of shape the first day. The expensive loft's sail may stretch out of shape the first day too. Despite economies of scale, breakthroughs in technology, and worldwide sourcing of labor and materials, it is still often the case that you get what you pay for. Find out what you're getting, and you may find out why there is such a large cost differential.
And maybe they don't last 2-3 years, or anywhere near as long as others. Have you talked to Nuclear about how their sails are made and how long they expect them to last? They may last 20 years if you only take them out on cloudy 10-knot days. They may stretch out of shape the first day. The expensive loft's sail may stretch out of shape the first day too. Despite economies of scale, breakthroughs in technology, and worldwide sourcing of labor and materials, it is still often the case that you get what you pay for. Find out what you're getting, and you may find out why there is such a large cost differential.
Reconditioned?
There is a place in Ford City...close to you. They have been reconditioning sails (LaMauney process)for years and they are racing sailors. I believe this is the website: www.sailcare.com I would call them & discuss...they have probably seen or know about every sail and maker out there.
There is a place in Ford City...close to you. They have been reconditioning sails (LaMauney process)for years and they are racing sailors. I believe this is the website: www.sailcare.com I would call them & discuss...they have probably seen or know about every sail and maker out there.
Need more info
It all depends on what racing sail's you are talking about. 2-3 years mother be true for a set of sail's that are used every Wed night and 10-15 regatta's a year. With this much racing than I would say yes to 3-4 years before they start to not look so good. But you would need to be a die hard racer. If you are looking at sail's to do the Mill's Race, Green Island, Around the Island, Bay Week and the Snow Flurries and you use this set of sail's just for racing then you will get allot longer life out of them. I have a full set of UK Tape Drive's that will be 4 season's old and at 3 season's we came in 1st and 2nd in everything we raced in. I have also talked to NuCLear Sail's and they make a sail simular to a UK Tape Drive Sail. I found ther sail's to be about 1/3 cheaper and these are sail that will only last a few season's. That is what they were intended to last. They also sell a higher end sail that will last longer but it is now the same price as a UK Tape Drive. NuCLear sail's are really for the guy who buys a set every year and if doing this then they might be a better deal. I would also look at buying sail's from a local loft that knows 1st hand the conditions you sail in. Cloth weight and cut may very from region to region. Since you sail on Lake Erie like I do we have a medium # 1 and we just bought a light # 1 for the light air stuff. We sail a H 28.5 and have not found a need for a # 2. We can carry the medium # 1 to about 18 knots and then we go to the blade. At this wind we are really changing the shape and are tweeking every thing. When we switch to the blade the boat is a rocket going up wind. Cliff
It all depends on what racing sail's you are talking about. 2-3 years mother be true for a set of sail's that are used every Wed night and 10-15 regatta's a year. With this much racing than I would say yes to 3-4 years before they start to not look so good. But you would need to be a die hard racer. If you are looking at sail's to do the Mill's Race, Green Island, Around the Island, Bay Week and the Snow Flurries and you use this set of sail's just for racing then you will get allot longer life out of them. I have a full set of UK Tape Drive's that will be 4 season's old and at 3 season's we came in 1st and 2nd in everything we raced in. I have also talked to NuCLear Sail's and they make a sail simular to a UK Tape Drive Sail. I found ther sail's to be about 1/3 cheaper and these are sail that will only last a few season's. That is what they were intended to last. They also sell a higher end sail that will last longer but it is now the same price as a UK Tape Drive. NuCLear sail's are really for the guy who buys a set every year and if doing this then they might be a better deal. I would also look at buying sail's from a local loft that knows 1st hand the conditions you sail in. Cloth weight and cut may very from region to region. Since you sail on Lake Erie like I do we have a medium # 1 and we just bought a light # 1 for the light air stuff. We sail a H 28.5 and have not found a need for a # 2. We can carry the medium # 1 to about 18 knots and then we go to the blade. At this wind we are really changing the shape and are tweeking every thing. When we switch to the blade the boat is a rocket going up wind. Cliff
Branding problem
I wouldn't buy anything from a company that calls itself "Nuclear" unless it was a bomb, and even then I'd be wary.
I wouldn't buy anything from a company that calls itself "Nuclear" unless it was a bomb, and even then I'd be wary.
We race
...with exactly the same inventoty as Cliff. Light #1, med #1, blade, plus about 6 spinnakers of various weights and sizes. How you handle your inventory will play a large part in how long it lasts. It will be hard to beat up a light #1 if you never fly it above 10kts and clean and fold it properly. Raking the sail across shrouds and mast is just not good for a long life. Grand Rix racers see about 100 tacks per headsail, but they beat the living tar out of them.
...with exactly the same inventoty as Cliff. Light #1, med #1, blade, plus about 6 spinnakers of various weights and sizes. How you handle your inventory will play a large part in how long it lasts. It will be hard to beat up a light #1 if you never fly it above 10kts and clean and fold it properly. Raking the sail across shrouds and mast is just not good for a long life. Grand Rix racers see about 100 tacks per headsail, but they beat the living tar out of them.
Penny Wise...Pound Foolish...
That is how the poor get rich...by watching the bucks and shopping smart. Looking for the best quality and value is a reflection and pattern of responsible economic behaviour. Remember---A fool and his money will soon part....
That is how the poor get rich...by watching the bucks and shopping smart. Looking for the best quality and value is a reflection and pattern of responsible economic behaviour. Remember---A fool and his money will soon part....
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