New Main Sources

[Apex]

With the recent article on Sail Twist, I decided it was time for a new main. I like to make informed purchasing decisions, so what sources do you recommend for a new main, and why?
this forum
Doyle
Quantum
FX
Hoyt
Ullman
Bacon
Sailwarehouse
....???

O'Day 28, 1979. We sail mostly on weekends, and participate in a FUN race once a year at our marina....I would prefer to buy a good sail with features for a good lifespan

We have used our second reef point.
Full .vs. partial battens. My experience is with a blown out main with partial .vs. full in decent shape, so perhaps I have poor input on merits.
Cloth weight
Cunningham?

 

[Davidasailor26]

We got a new main for our 28 two years ago from North Sails. We got their radial cut Dacron style, which is a step up from the standard cross cut dacron but not as exotic (or expensive) as a laminate. The radial cut cloth is supposed to allow a lighter cloth to be used with better durability, compared to the standard. We traded the boat in after a season so I can't speak to the durability, but the shape was very nice. I believe the weight was 5.2 oz, and they would've used 6.5 in regular cross cut. Ours included a full top batten and partials for the others, a Cunningham cringle, and a single reef point (which was all we had ever rigged in the past). It was also loose footed, which allowed a nicer shape than the original. All in all I've got no complaints about the recommendations North made and the work they did. One thing we definitely noticed was that with the new stiffer sail cloth, folding the main well enough to fit inside the sail cover was a much bigger ordeal than with the old bedsheet that we could pretty much bundle up any old way. Made a big difference to the process of leaving the boat to have to flake it all neat and tight just to be able to close the snaps and zipper. If you're replacing the cover at the same time be sure to get one what's at lest as big as the original even if it seems a little baggy covering an old sail.

 

[Sprega]

I just purchased a new main for my O 27 from
Judy B Sails, she is a rep for Hyde sails. I believe that I absolutely got the best sail for my money. I ordered the sail with 2 full battens and 2 partials. I must also say that using the sail measurement guide and instructions from Judy resulted in a sail that fit perfectly. Time will tell as to longevity. My boat certainly moves much better. Stays on he feet better and sails reasonably well under main alone.

 

[Apex]

Thanks Guys: I spoke at length with Tom from north Sails, and he had a lot of good advice. I was looking for info on crosscut versus redial, battens etc....and on his discussions think I want a crosscut, 1 full batten top, with the "newer" partial battens that are longer then older times at 50-60% of luff length. I also learned there are a couple of different levels of service with North sails, Northdirect and the full service of north at various lofts. There is a club member very happy with his Hyde sails, I have pricing as optioned from Oday Owners as well. Quantum and NHyde still need to get back to me, but it appears THIS MONTH is the time to buy at lowest pices of the year.