New sail advice

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Jul 17, 2004
3
Oday 25 Lake Arthur, Western PA
It was a sad day yesterday when my mainsail split in two on my 76 Oday 25. On the other hand, you have to appreciate the workmanship when a sail last 29 years. After reading earlier posts about this being the busiest time for sailmakers, I'm not sure there is much that can be done soon. I've looked for used sails, but haven't found any matches yet. So, I would appreciate any advice on the brand and lofts. I've looked at the Doyle sails on this site, the North sails at Cruising Direct, and the Pro/Stock sails at the Sale Warehouse, which they say are in stock and would not have to be manufactured. I also plan to check out DR Marine, which sells ODay parts, but doesn't give any information about the sails it offers. I will also be ordering a new roller furler and genoa in the spring, so will be sending a fair amount of business to whichever company I pick. Is it worth waiting for one to be manufactured? Am I missing any good sails or lofts? Thanks
 
Aug 2, 2005
374
pearson ariel grand rapids
sails

They sell sails here, $885 for a main, I assume the standard rig. was just checking for a main for my boat in another window when I read your post, for some reason though I only get a few bars of meaningless text when I check the pearson triton masthead listing. Ken.
 
M

Mike

Try this link

I have never bought any thing here, but I save a lot of sites in my favorites for reference and comparison. You could try contacting them and see if they can help. I did buy both a mainsail and 150 genoa for my C22 from Airforce sails, on Sailnet.Com, but I belief they are out of business. Too bad, because the sails are of great quality and the price was very good. Wishing you luck in getting back on the water. This is just a thought, but do you have any friends who own boats which may have an extra mainsail the could lend you, even if the boat is smaller? It would be like sailing with a reefed main, but better than not sailing. http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=storeframe.html&cart_id=
 
May 31, 2004
858
Catalina 28 Branford
Local guy

I decided to replace the original sails on my '79 Oday 23 this summer. I too did some shopping on the internet and compared products and prices. I looked at Air Force, the Sailwarehouse and others. I decided to buy my sails from a local loft rather than over the internet or phone. He wasn't the cheapest, but the personal service was outstanding. He came to my boat and measured for the sails, taking into account the position of my deck hardware, my roller furler, gooseneck, downhaul, etc. When the sails were done, he came to my boat and installed them and showed me how the new features differed from my existing sails, how best to use and trim them. He also made recommendations for hardware that I could install to get even better results. He also offered free of charge to have someone come out on a sail with me to demonstrate my new sails. Perhaps just as importantly, I could call him on the phone and get updates on his progress. Remember, the budget places on the internet are contracting your job out to a place in Hong Kong; you get cheaper labor and prices, but you lose that personal contact. All told, I spent $3000 for a new main, 135 Genoa and new mainsail cover; I knew the sail would fit perfectly (and if it didn't, it would be fixed no charge by a guy 10 miles away). I think the most comparable bid from an internet company for similar sails and covers was about $2500. A significant difference in price. However, it wasn't exactly apples to apples as the cloth weights were different, and the main wouldn't have had the Oday logo.
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
Boat Show Deals

If you frequent the boat shows, you can get a god deal on one there. Many mfgr's are represented there and are competetive. Else, many sailmakers will have the time to repair the sail and have it in a week or so. This will give you time to order the new one.
 

Phil Herring

Alien
Mar 25, 1997
4,924
- - Bainbridge Island
Some clarification

Just felt I had to add that the sails on this site are made by Doyle lofts in the US, include a very high degree of personal service, and can include a builder's logo. Not all internet or mail order sails are the same. :) Oh, and Kendall: we had some bad data on the Triton MH record. That's fixed now and will return a quote.
 
Dec 31, 2004
85
- - Guilford, CT
Mike in Branford

Did you use Kappa Sails by chance? I have used him for repairs and have seen some of his sails on other boats. His work is OUTSTANDING! Ellis
 
Aug 2, 2005
374
pearson ariel grand rapids
late response

quoting Phil Herring: Oh, and Kendall: we had some bad data on the Triton MH record. That's fixed now and will return a quote. scanning back through and read this, thanks! Ken.
 
Aug 2, 2005
374
pearson ariel grand rapids
DR bad

I am going through the same thing with my boat and new sails. Thanks for all of the info. However, DO NOT go to DR Marine, they are very nice to talk to but don't get anything done. I have been in the process of buying a hatch from this guy for nearly two years. I first was swent the wrong hatch, and hove been told a few more weeks countless times, i am so fed up but there is nothing that i can do as Rudy is the only one with oday molds. Just thought you should know before you go and call on them. Marc
 
Jun 7, 2004
350
Oday 28 East Tawas
If it's close in price

go with a local loft. I agree with one of the other posts that personal service for a product which can be dicy to fit could be worth it's weight in gold. A friend of mine had a sail made for his 28 Catalina last year and the sail track slides which the maker put on the sail were just slightly different. Slight though it was the sail would not go up the track. Had this been a mail order item then there would have been shipments back and forth and time wasted in shipments. As it was he merely took the sail back to the local loft and the sail maker quickly changed the track slides. Believe in Murphy's law and go to the local guy if his price is in line with mail order or on-line lofts. My two cents, Mike
 
C

chuck willett

Shop

I ordered a new sail over the phone and I was very disapointed with the finished product,
 
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