I am considering a new set of sails, my 16-year old Elvstrom's are looking a little tired. Anyone have any experience with Lee Sails? Their offshore sails look very well made.
Lee Sails ????
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Lee Sails
I have bought several sails from Lee (made in Hong Kong) over the years and they make a very quality product. I just bought a new loose footed main from Quantum (made in South Africa) and to be honest, it is also a great sail. It all boils down to your specification, price and reputation of the maker. I have an HC33 and a friend of mine has a Taswell 43, he just received a quote from Lee for a new main sail and it was about $300 less than what I paid for a Quantum, and the Taswell main is about 2X the size of mine. I would go with LEE again for sure. Good luck,
I have bought several sails from Lee (made in Hong Kong) over the years and they make a very quality product. I just bought a new loose footed main from Quantum (made in South Africa) and to be honest, it is also a great sail. It all boils down to your specification, price and reputation of the maker. I have an HC33 and a friend of mine has a Taswell 43, he just received a quote from Lee for a new main sail and it was about $300 less than what I paid for a Quantum, and the Taswell main is about 2X the size of mine. I would go with LEE again for sure. Good luck,
Lee terrific
I got a genoa and main from Lee Sails H.K. six years years ago. I was most impressed with their, and their agent's, service and attention to detail. I received my sails on the day they said they would arrive. The quality of the product was outstanding - exceptional attention to finish and detail. As for the price, it was a quarter of what I was quoted from well-known local/international lofts. Oh , and by the way, while Lee Sails "only" makes cruising sails, I win my share of races against some formidable competition who boast high-tech sails. Now, after all that time and abuse, the sails are still in good shape. I'll happily buy from Lee again. One caveat: they deliver exactly what you ask for. So you must give them the exact dimensions, the kind of draught you want, etc., etc. If you are not comfortable with this kind of exercise, pay the extra and go with a local loft. Cheers, and good sailing.
I got a genoa and main from Lee Sails H.K. six years years ago. I was most impressed with their, and their agent's, service and attention to detail. I received my sails on the day they said they would arrive. The quality of the product was outstanding - exceptional attention to finish and detail. As for the price, it was a quarter of what I was quoted from well-known local/international lofts. Oh , and by the way, while Lee Sails "only" makes cruising sails, I win my share of races against some formidable competition who boast high-tech sails. Now, after all that time and abuse, the sails are still in good shape. I'll happily buy from Lee again. One caveat: they deliver exactly what you ask for. So you must give them the exact dimensions, the kind of draught you want, etc., etc. If you are not comfortable with this kind of exercise, pay the extra and go with a local loft. Cheers, and good sailing.
Lee Sails
A few months back I bought a new mainsail for my H35 through William Kwan -Lee's representative in Vancouver. The quality was excellent and the price outstanding. Exactly half of what I was quoted by several local lofts. However Mr. Kwan only had a 20 min drive to North Vancouver to measure up my boat - which he did twice for some reason - so you may have to pay a bit more if he has to travel to Sydney to see you! I am a cruiser, not a racer, so had no special requests and basically took their advice. Of interest, Lee politely declined to install a Dutchman flaking system, saying that they had limited success with this in the past. This is a sure sign of a company that really cares about customer satisfaction and the quality of their final product. Count me a very satisfied recent customer.
A few months back I bought a new mainsail for my H35 through William Kwan -Lee's representative in Vancouver. The quality was excellent and the price outstanding. Exactly half of what I was quoted by several local lofts. However Mr. Kwan only had a 20 min drive to North Vancouver to measure up my boat - which he did twice for some reason - so you may have to pay a bit more if he has to travel to Sydney to see you! I am a cruiser, not a racer, so had no special requests and basically took their advice. Of interest, Lee politely declined to install a Dutchman flaking system, saying that they had limited success with this in the past. This is a sure sign of a company that really cares about customer satisfaction and the quality of their final product. Count me a very satisfied recent customer.
Dutchman System
First let me say that I had Lee Sails on a previous boat and thought they were well made. Second Nell said that Lee Sails indicated that they had not had limited success with the Dutchman Flaking system - I have a Catalina supplied Dutchman Flaking system on my Catalina 36 and I think it is great. It must be installed correctly and used correctly (only tighten the system when droppping the sail) but that is it. I really like it as it is the fastest way to drop the main sail in high winds in a panic. Far faster than a roller furling main (I have used several on charter boats). For example, if I go overboard my wife can steer into the wind and drop the main by letting go of the halyard (even without tensioning completely the topping lift). The sail stays under reasonable control. (for the the sail back to rescue 'Quick Stop' method purists I will say that handling the boat and sails in a strong wind for my 115 lb wife is just not going to happen.) With the Dutchman System she can punch the MOB button on the GPS, heave over the MOB pole and ring, get the engine on, go into the wind and drop the main without a second thought and roll up the genoa. In the meantime I am floating in my PFD (which we always wear underway) and with the GPS position and MOB pole she is very likely able to find me and pick me up under control. My biggest worry is that she may decide not to turn around
My guess is that this particular Lee Sails rep did not know how to install the system properly.
First let me say that I had Lee Sails on a previous boat and thought they were well made. Second Nell said that Lee Sails indicated that they had not had limited success with the Dutchman Flaking system - I have a Catalina supplied Dutchman Flaking system on my Catalina 36 and I think it is great. It must be installed correctly and used correctly (only tighten the system when droppping the sail) but that is it. I really like it as it is the fastest way to drop the main sail in high winds in a panic. Far faster than a roller furling main (I have used several on charter boats). For example, if I go overboard my wife can steer into the wind and drop the main by letting go of the halyard (even without tensioning completely the topping lift). The sail stays under reasonable control. (for the the sail back to rescue 'Quick Stop' method purists I will say that handling the boat and sails in a strong wind for my 115 lb wife is just not going to happen.) With the Dutchman System she can punch the MOB button on the GPS, heave over the MOB pole and ring, get the engine on, go into the wind and drop the main without a second thought and roll up the genoa. In the meantime I am floating in my PFD (which we always wear underway) and with the GPS position and MOB pole she is very likely able to find me and pick me up under control. My biggest worry is that she may decide not to turn around
My guess is that this particular Lee Sails rep did not know how to install the system properly.LEE SAILS 34 Years!
I'm still using the LEE main and jib I purchased 34 years for my O'Day 22. I won't win any races, but they have always got me home.
I'm still using the LEE main and jib I purchased 34 years for my O'Day 22. I won't win any races, but they have always got me home.
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