There really is no way to beat using a local sail maker, they will tailor the sails to your needs and if anything goes wrong or an adjustment is needed. they will be there for you. The OEM sails that were supplied by Neil Pryde for most O'DAYs were generic, cookie-cutter, off-the-shelf sails, O'DAY ordered them in bulk, to save $$ I'm sure. Buying from my local loft would be money well spent if I had a larger boat.
If I had the money, I would not even consider buying the OEM grade sails from D&R.... but the local sailmaker where I would prefer to go to for new sails would cost more than what my boat is worth (main & jib $2,100 vs $825 from D&R). Since I live less than 45 minutes from D&R Marine, the savings on shipping costs over the sails sold here on
www.SailboatOwners.com would be a big factor as well.
Are the local-made sails (Harding) worth that cost? OH YES! However, I have a hard time spending $2,100 on sails for a boat that I paid $1400 for including trailer and with a "blue book" value of $1600 or less.
The OEM level sails from D&R (Neil Pryde) will outlast my ownership of the boat based on how long the originals held up although I am about 10+ years overdue to replace them. If I were buying a new Day Sailer, that $2,100 would be a small cost compared to the $17,300.00 base price of the new boats (admittedly, far better quality than my O'DAY).
If I had a bigger O'DAY, and if I could afford new, local made sails.... the price from a local loft would be easier to justify as well.
