I need a new main. and I have gotten two quotes both seem like they are in line. One is from FX sailmakers in Charleston. The other Quote is from a very small loft in NJ called Linthicum sails. Anyone have any experience with either of these two sailmakers Any comments would be appreciated
New Main Sail
- Thread starter bffatcat
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Unless these are lofts that come to the boat to measure and fit then you should compare to Doyle here in the SBO store. Would be interested to know the difference.
their are close to 2000 of these boats around all the sailmakers are well acquainted with the
boat. Doyle might come on the boat to measure but a sail from them for a boat my size would be made in Barbados Thanks for the imput
boat. Doyle might come on the boat to measure but a sail from them for a boat my size would be made in Barbados Thanks for the imput
Local
I would go with a local guy who will come to the boat both before and after installing the new sail and have them come looking at your boat and checking every thing to makeing sure you get the right sail.
Nick
I would go with a local guy who will come to the boat both before and after installing the new sail and have them come looking at your boat and checking every thing to makeing sure you get the right sail.
Nick
I bought an asymmetrical spinnaker from FX Sails. Bill seems very knowledgeable and was very helpful before and after I received the sail. Check out the pictures on my profile. It's a custom spinnaker that turned out EXACTLY the way I wanted it.
Kermit
Kermit
Friend of mine recently bought a new main and furling genoa for his H28.5 from FX. He got a lot of helpful advice from Bill James, including measurement methods and tools. The sails looks good and fit his boat perfectly. And the price was right. More importantly, his boat performs very well. I would consider FX the next time I am buying new sails.
Been dealing with Brad at Linthicum for years for sail and canvas. They do great work, are very reliable and pricing is fair and reasonable.
Don't know where you're at so I can't say if he would come to you or not. He does travel locally, though.
Don't know where you're at so I can't say if he would come to you or not. He does travel locally, though.
FX experience
I have purchased a main sail and two genoas from FX Sails. As Kermit and Warren both said, Bill is a good businessman. I'm on my second C22. I went with a heavier fabric than stock each time because I want a sail that I can reef and not get blown out. I would not hesitate to buy another sail from them.
I can't give an opinion on Linthicum because I have no knowledge of them what so ever.
It wouldn't hurt to inquire at least with our host's loft though, since they're kind enough to provide this great website for us.
I have purchased a main sail and two genoas from FX Sails. As Kermit and Warren both said, Bill is a good businessman. I'm on my second C22. I went with a heavier fabric than stock each time because I want a sail that I can reef and not get blown out. I would not hesitate to buy another sail from them.
I can't give an opinion on Linthicum because I have no knowledge of them what so ever.
It wouldn't hurt to inquire at least with our host's loft though, since they're kind enough to provide this great website for us.
Not necessarily, depends on how busy they are and when you place the order. We had new sails cut by Doyle's this past off season and they did it in their Peabody loft (Cal 28-2). They finished our sails right before they began the Maltese Falcon.
They sent a quote and when I went in to review it with them I asked for a few upgrades and they threw them all in for free. Sails turned out amazing, couldn't be happier. Probably the best experience we've had with any vendor in the "Marine" industry since we've owned boats. Ask for Chris Howes if you decide to try them.
Recently (Sept. 2011) purchased a new mainsail for my 1980 Hunter 27 tall rig from FX sails, and I am very satisfied. Got exactly what I wanted, the sail fits perfectly after Bill James consulted with me on the measurements, and Bill helped me decide what would be best for my boat. The best part is that the excessive weather helm I had before when sailing with my blown out main is gone, and I have much more control over the shape of the sail. Lots of little extras were included on the sail that I had not expected but are welcome additions. The price was great!
Linthicum is one of the 'best' small lofts around the Middle Atlantic. They are very active in the Philadelphia & Annapolis MD area. Be sure to tell any loft of your (honest) ability as a helmsman, your (honest) expertise in sail 'shaping' and sail 'trim', the typical wind/wave conditions you sail, etc. ... and have the 'cut' adjusted to these parameters - usually all at no 'extra charge'.
FWIW ... but will cost you a wee bit more ... ask for an additional quote (from either loft) to apply an 'over-the-top' leech line system. This will enable you to adjust the leech line from either the leech *OR* from the base of the mast (and in spite of all reef positions. Somewhat important when the boom is over the side when reaching/running and you cant reach out to adjust the leech line, especially in boisterous wind/wave conditions ... simply walk up to the mast and do all the LEECH adjustments from there. You wont have to hang over the life lines reaching out with one hand on the boom and the other one on the leech cord while you hope to hell that your foot doesnt slip .... which may cause you to chin-ups while dangling over the water as a way to get 'back to the boat'. In such an arrangement the leechcord runs up along the leech to a small sewn-on cheek block at the HEAD of the sail thence down along the sail's 'luff' within a small sleeve but 'open' at each reef position ... at the MAST.
If you do a lot of 'rough water' sailing, the over-the-top leech cord is a SAFETY item.
Of course with any 'remote' sail loft *you* should do 'actual' measurements of the mast and boom and 'sail track size'.
<G>
FWIW ... but will cost you a wee bit more ... ask for an additional quote (from either loft) to apply an 'over-the-top' leech line system. This will enable you to adjust the leech line from either the leech *OR* from the base of the mast (and in spite of all reef positions. Somewhat important when the boom is over the side when reaching/running and you cant reach out to adjust the leech line, especially in boisterous wind/wave conditions ... simply walk up to the mast and do all the LEECH adjustments from there. You wont have to hang over the life lines reaching out with one hand on the boom and the other one on the leech cord while you hope to hell that your foot doesnt slip .... which may cause you to chin-ups while dangling over the water as a way to get 'back to the boat'. In such an arrangement the leechcord runs up along the leech to a small sewn-on cheek block at the HEAD of the sail thence down along the sail's 'luff' within a small sleeve but 'open' at each reef position ... at the MAST.
If you do a lot of 'rough water' sailing, the over-the-top leech cord is a SAFETY item.
Of course with any 'remote' sail loft *you* should do 'actual' measurements of the mast and boom and 'sail track size'.
<G>
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