new sails

Status
Not open for further replies.
dziedzicmj

dziedzicmj

.
Aug 13, 2012
533
Catalina 270 Ottawa
Hi,

I am about to order new sails. I have a Catalina 270 (1994).

There is no local loft where i live, so I cannot follow the most common recommendation of using one. this leaves me with a mail order/Internet.

I looked at numerous places from Far East and North America. Most of them are quite similar and offer similar product (are they?).

At the moment I am leaning towards The Sail Store (they sell FX Sails).

I would like to hear any recommendations or horror stories, before I make the order.

I would appreciate your comments

thanks

Marek
 
seanshine

seanshine

.
May 10, 2004
182
Catalina 30 Puget Sound
The best outlet for sails that I have found is http://thesailwarehouse.com Quality and service is excellent. They feature Rolly Tasker sails. Sails for most Catalinas are always in stock. My main still looks like and has the shape of 10 years ago. I don't abuse it.... heh heh. The roller furling jib I received from them was perfect. Sean
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

.
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Sailmakers typically fall into one of four camps:

1) Asian firms. Like Rolly Tasker and HK Sails. Good quality cross cut dacrons generally at very decent prices. Best for off-the-shelf, standard designs.

2) US mail-order of Asian sails. Like FX and Mauri. If you order a stock sail, its cut from an existing plan. If you order a custom sail, its design is outsourced to Sandy Goodall in Canada, and the cut plan is sent to Asia. The sail is made then sent back to the USA. They put their sticker on it, and send it to you. Lots of middlemen that effect the price. But generally good quality.

3) US sailmakers. Places like Somerset and Pineapple. These guys MAKE sails in their loft. Usually at very competitive prices.

4) Majors. North, UK, etc. Dacrons are made in Asia. High tech sails made in one place, location depends on loft. Higher prices. High overall quality.


I've done all ways, but am really fond of working with a loft that actually makes the sail. Martin Somerset is great; I'd recommend you call him to get a quote. Going the Asian route is OK, but when you deal with the guy who is going to make the sail, you get to talk during the build process, which is impossible when the cutting and sewing is in Asia.

Martin just made us a set of tri-radial laminated sails for our 260. Cost was 1/2 of a national loft. And we talked all the way though the process. That was great. Send pix too.





 
E

etesian

.
Sep 18, 2012
6
Catalina C22 Fairport Harbor
dziedzicmj said:
Hi,

I am about to order new sails. I have a Catalina 270 (1994).

There is no local loft where i live, so I cannot follow the most common recommendation of using one. this leaves me with a mail order/Internet.

I looked at numerous places from Far East and North America. Most of them are quite similar and offer similar product (are they?).

At the moment I am leaning towards The Sail Store (they sell FX Sails).

I would like to hear any recommendations or horror stories, before I make the order.

I would appreciate your comments

thanks

Marek
Click to expand

I suggest you try North Sails Direct. The prices are much less but quality still good. Only diffetence is cut of paneis.
 
hvbaker

hvbaker

.
Oct 5, 2010
322
Catalina 30 mkII St. Augustine
I have got sails from FX and the sail warehouse, both were fine. FX needs a longer lead time. Their sail bags are of higher quality. Sails from both places were fine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom