Off the Shelf Spinnakers

[Lee]

I would like to know if anyone has used the CD(Cruising Direct) spinnakers that are sold by West Marine and others. These asymmetrical spinnakers are pre-made to certain sizes and you pick the one closest to your needs. Since the cost is about 70% of the custom made ones, I am looking into it. Thanks. Lee

 

[Steve]

Cost?

I did a quick check on the cost of the off-the-shelf from CD and compared it to the price here for my boat. Phil's price a couple houndred less with the sock, and about a houndred less without a sock. I don't know about Cd, but I do have one of Phil's cruising spinnakers. I can highly recommend the HOW's. You might at least do a comparison for your boat on this site before you decide. You can get a price on line in about 2 minutes by just running through a few pages. Might be worth your time.And Phil, don't take this as a reason to raise your price...Steve

 

[Carl]

i bought one from cruising direct

i have a 23.5 ,i bought a cruising chute this year came with chute,sock,and sheets for $645 made by north sails (a quality name) i saved approx 200 bucks on the chute and sock and they threw in 100'of nice braided line for sheets for free the only thing is you are limited in the colors you can get from cd im an irish jew and im pleased

 

[Andy]

Buy from Phil & Bly

Spinaker came with the boat. I sent the measurements to Bly here at HOW and she sold me the sock. I like it!

 

[John Visser]

Compare apples to apples

I did an in-depth survey of sail makers and costs last year for a new headsail. I found that for CD, you get about the same value as you could get anywhere else for a stripped-down sail of the same specification. When you add the extras, such as luff foam, reef reinfircecments, blue-water finish, etc., they cost more. I imagine this would apply to soinnakers too.I would obtain quotes from all around, and I prefer somewhat local, good lofts. When quoting, make sure the specification is the same. One problem I had with North is that they would never quote exactly what I wanted, every quote deviated in some way. jvp.s. I bought the headsail from UK in Jamestown, Rhode Island