Winter is finally releasing its icy grip on the upper midwest (although we're forecast for a couple inches of snow tonight), and I am finally getting around to trying to order a new mainsail for my in-mast furler. I know I should've ordered it last fall, but here I am. I'm having a hell of a time trying to figure out all my options, and would appreciate some opinions.
I'm certainly interested in getting good sail shape and performance but acknowledge that as a weekend cruiser and occasional beer can racer, I probably don't need to look too far past mid-tier dacrons. I received several online quotes for crosscut "Challenge 7.45 oz" and 7.7oz Challenge Marblehead, as well as radial "warp" cloth and CDX Pro "CDX5". I also got a quote from a local sailmaker for a crosscut Contender Supercruise 8.4.
I'm looking mostly at the crosscut options. But this is where I get stuck. I have no feel for how to compare these sailcloths, and my local loft comes at about a 30% premium over the other options. The personal service of the local loft is certainly worth something, but I can't shake the feeling that I'd be paying more money for what may be a lower quality cloth. But is it? Additionally, the CDX5 comes out at about the same price as the local loft. I should add that the local loft has promised a short turnaround, which would be great. But I don't actually know how the cloths truly compare with each other. Comparing sailcloth feels like comparing mattresses. I'll be sleeping on this mattress for the next 10 years (hopefully longer), so I want it to be right!
I think if the supercruise was comparable with the marblehead, I'd be happy to go local. Really I just want something that will furl easily and will reasonably hold its shape for 10 years. I feel like I'm not seeing the whole picture here, so I'd really appreciate your help!
I'm certainly interested in getting good sail shape and performance but acknowledge that as a weekend cruiser and occasional beer can racer, I probably don't need to look too far past mid-tier dacrons. I received several online quotes for crosscut "Challenge 7.45 oz" and 7.7oz Challenge Marblehead, as well as radial "warp" cloth and CDX Pro "CDX5". I also got a quote from a local sailmaker for a crosscut Contender Supercruise 8.4.
I'm looking mostly at the crosscut options. But this is where I get stuck. I have no feel for how to compare these sailcloths, and my local loft comes at about a 30% premium over the other options. The personal service of the local loft is certainly worth something, but I can't shake the feeling that I'd be paying more money for what may be a lower quality cloth. But is it? Additionally, the CDX5 comes out at about the same price as the local loft. I should add that the local loft has promised a short turnaround, which would be great. But I don't actually know how the cloths truly compare with each other. Comparing sailcloth feels like comparing mattresses. I'll be sleeping on this mattress for the next 10 years (hopefully longer), so I want it to be right!
I think if the supercruise was comparable with the marblehead, I'd be happy to go local. Really I just want something that will furl easily and will reasonably hold its shape for 10 years. I feel like I'm not seeing the whole picture here, so I'd really appreciate your help!