precisionsailloft.com?
- Thread starter richk
- Start date
Can't speak to Precision Sail Loft, however, I just purchased a new 135% from Great Circle Sails and so far have been very pleased with the process. Haven't received the sail yet, but don't expect any problems.
me, i expect my sailmaker to bring the sail , sails, down to the boat and go sailing and demonstrate the sails properly trimmed. then i write the check. saves allot of hassles down the line i think
i like my sailmaker, i like my sails. he understands my wants and needs
i like my sailmaker, i like my sails. he understands my wants and needs
Unless you are dealing with a small loft that builds their own sails and not a name brand, the sails are being made overseas, China, Thailand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and probably elsewhere.
Ask the loft where the sails are made and who makes them. Then do a Google search on that loft. You'll find interesting information about the sail making industry. Quality control is always an issue. The offshore lofts will have a primary major brand and then they make sails for other brands. The loft that makes Great Circle Sails is also the primary loft for Ullman. So you can get Ullman construction quality for less money because GCS doesn't have the same marketing costs.
A good loft, even the non-marquee lofts, should provide support, but it may be via email and photos and not on-the-boat support. If there is an issue, then the loft should stand behind it.
Another loft to look at is FX-Sails they have been around awhile, used to be known as Air Force sails and were affiliated with Sailnet.com (remember them?). Apparently the loft owner once worked for Elvstrom sails. Elvstrom later merged with Sobstad (?). If I'm correct, then the pedigree for FX-Sails is good. Brian Hancock from Great Circle Sails also learned the trade from Paul Elvstrom.
Another place to look is Mack Sails. They are US made in Florida.
Good Luck!
This isn't my area but I think many local lofts are really franchises for major brands who do the marketing and manufacturing - usually overseas. I think this is a pretty good system because you can have the personal relationship with the sailmaker and access to technology that small independent lofts could never afford. There's a local loft for example who the representative will tell you he has not cut sail cloth in a decade. He does his design on a computer and sends it off to overseas plants. He does the installation and his employees do the service, repair and maintenance. Another loft I have used does a lot of dodgers, binimi's, etc. and is affiliated with a national loft for new sails sales. He will sail with you in a race or two to prove his work.
I had a Asym made by Doyle in Annapolis. This one was the first one made for a B323, so they measures the boat, made the sail, brought it back and we went sailing It was blowing 16, so it was an exciting day. "If anything's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there:.
I would recommend Precision. Had both a main and jib from Precision. Terrific sails, very well made, at a great price. Fantastic customer service too, imo. There was a slight problem with the jib that I got--the window was too high off the foot to be useful. They replaced my jib with a brand new one, even after I had used the old one for a full season. Very satisfied. Caveat is that you absolutely have to take good measurements, since they aren't there to take them for you.
A friend of mine was looking to purchase sails from Precision Sailmakers. He wanted to continue using his existing Dutchman system. Precision told him to buy their sails and then bring them to a local loft so they can modify and install the Dutchman hardware. Needless to say Precision didn't make the sale or the sail.
I bought a Precision made main sale last fall for my H27. The sail came within a month and the workmanship looks very good. I have not put the sail on the boat yet, so can't comment on the fit. They used generic measurements from other H27s they have done. The sail has the correct reef points, battens, sail cloth, and markings that I wanted. The sail was made at their loft in Canada. The rep said that many of their larger sails are contracted out to overseas lofts.
I can't comment on Precision. My main and genny are both Rolly Tasker from National Sail Supply. Took a few months to get them but they're very good quality, excellent fit, and sail quite well. They were also far less expensive than other quotes I got. I would have loved to use a local loft, but $1500 extra was just too much.
Sort of, but not exactly.
All the major construction lofts build sails for boutique lofts. The details of construction are under the control of the boutique loft to a great extent. At some production lofts, you can choose from "menus" of construction details that can be added for additional cost. Likewise, you can choose from a menu of materials such as sailcloth, hardware, notions, and even thread, all at different prices.
There's a huge difference in construction quality and materials between an "OEM" quality sail and a "top of the line" quality sail built in the same production loft.
Judy B
retired sailmaker
I posted fairly much the same question over at the Trailer Sailor website . My experience with Precision left me with a very bad feeling . The same for The Sail Warehouse. Non responsive ,when I could get them on the phone
I was treated very rudely . Both told me they don't have time to talk on the phone , pick something off their website .
I was dumbfounded . They I was ,credit card at the ready and both were asking me to do all the emailing and messaging . I will not beg someone to take my money . One email to Kent Sails and they had my money .
I was treated very rudely . Both told me they don't have time to talk on the phone , pick something off their website .
I was dumbfounded . They I was ,credit card at the ready and both were asking me to do all the emailing and messaging . I will not beg someone to take my money . One email to Kent Sails and they had my money .
I purchased a new Genoa from Precision Sails and was very pleased with the service and quality. They followed up quickly, but I'd say they weren't as relentless as the well know loft. The price was almost $1,000 less than the other guys quoted , so I couldn't justify that just to have somebody come to my boat and hoist the sail. Their measurement instructions were very thorough and after I sent in the measurements, I talked to the designer for over an hour to discuss exactly what I wanted. The sail was delivered in about two weeks and fit perfectly.
Just recently purchased a new main sail for my Hunter 18.5 from Precision Sail loft. They send you 5+ pages of forms to measure and they discuss your sail design over the phone. Never bought a new sail before so I really don't have a lot of experience dealing with sail makers. The cost was significantly less than other quotes I received.
Anyway the sail arrived in about 5 to 6 weeks after the initial order. Beautiful brand new sail.
Without going into a lot of detail, I did have some problems with it (some my fault on the order) but long story short they went out of their way to make it right. They are very responsive to their customers so a big thumbs up! You have to keep in mind that buying sails online is not the same as the local sailmaker for obvious reasons. So I guess a fair comparison is Precision vs. other on-line sail makers. In that case I would highly recommend Precisions sails.
One more item, with the new main they recommend a loose foot. I was a bit skeptical but after some research on many sailing forums I decided to go with it. So far I really like the loose footed main! Much more sail control.
Good luck in your quest.
Bob
Anyway the sail arrived in about 5 to 6 weeks after the initial order. Beautiful brand new sail.
Without going into a lot of detail, I did have some problems with it (some my fault on the order) but long story short they went out of their way to make it right. They are very responsive to their customers so a big thumbs up! You have to keep in mind that buying sails online is not the same as the local sailmaker for obvious reasons. So I guess a fair comparison is Precision vs. other on-line sail makers. In that case I would highly recommend Precisions sails.
One more item, with the new main they recommend a loose foot. I was a bit skeptical but after some research on many sailing forums I decided to go with it. So far I really like the loose footed main! Much more sail control.
Good luck in your quest.
Bob