OK, time to replace the sails on my O'Day 23 (1983). I have shopped around and have narrowed it down to Nort Sail, UK and Doyle. UK and Doyle can come to the boat and measure and all of the prices and features are the same. Am I comparing apples to apples or are there really that many differences in manufacturers. Thanks
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DO NOT go with Quantum Sails
I was given good reviews for Quantum sails and there price wasn't the cheapest but was competive. Well after ordering (and paying in full) the sail in Feb 2005 I just got it today and the UV cover is wrong. I am fed up with this company. I was maybe thinking about geting a new main but it will definately NOT be from Quantum. The loft I used was out of Racine, WI. Dan
I was given good reviews for Quantum sails and there price wasn't the cheapest but was competive. Well after ordering (and paying in full) the sail in Feb 2005 I just got it today and the UV cover is wrong. I am fed up with this company. I was maybe thinking about geting a new main but it will definately NOT be from Quantum. The loft I used was out of Racine, WI. Dan
I bought UK
out of Chicago. They were a little pricier, but after alot of research I found that you do get better materials for the price. I also liked the people I dealt with, that makes all the difference. Good luck with your choice. Ted
out of Chicago. They were a little pricier, but after alot of research I found that you do get better materials for the price. I also liked the people I dealt with, that makes all the difference. Good luck with your choice. Ted
In the area
Check with Clarke Bassett at Kappa Sails. He has done some repair work for me that was first class and made a main for a friend that is a real work of art for a reasonable price.
Check with Clarke Bassett at Kappa Sails. He has done some repair work for me that was first class and made a main for a friend that is a real work of art for a reasonable price.
Service
While we found the "big boys" talked a good game, the best service we've enjoyed came from a smaller local outfit. When UK cut our jib too long, who got to get it back to them for re-cutting if we wanted them to be able to do it in less than six weeks? Hmmm. When we questioned the size of the shackle at the tack, and were assured "it's plenty big enough" (as in "who are you to question anything?") who got to watch it bend (just enough to make the pin bind so it doesn't come off easily) after we loaded it up by cranking in our backstay? Hmmm. Who went to a different loft for a new main and has been much happier since? Hmmm. The big boys will be happy to sell you one of their off-the-shelf sails. They will be similar and will have similar costs, because they are a standard item. A smaller local loft is more likely to work at creating you a custom sail for the conditions and type of sailing you plan to do with it. They'll discuss whether you need or want a lot of roach, to add sail area in light-air sections like Long Island Sound. They'll find out how you reef your sail, and offer you one or more reef points. They'll ask whether you furl your sail on the boom or unbend it after each weekend race, and suggest different cloths accordingly. How you use your boat may determine how many battens you have and how long they are. All these factors come together to make for a happier result for you. This is not to say a sailmaker at a big loft can't ask these same questions and take care of you the same way. But have they, so far? If you shop based solely on price, you may end up with sails from Hong Kong. They certainly won't care much about a customer thousands of miles away from them. A local loft (and there are plenty in the tri-state area - do a google or yellow pages search) depends upon customers like you for their livelyhood. If they (and their sails) don't perform, they're out of business. Who do you think will do the best job for you? That is the outfit you should go with.
While we found the "big boys" talked a good game, the best service we've enjoyed came from a smaller local outfit. When UK cut our jib too long, who got to get it back to them for re-cutting if we wanted them to be able to do it in less than six weeks? Hmmm. When we questioned the size of the shackle at the tack, and were assured "it's plenty big enough" (as in "who are you to question anything?") who got to watch it bend (just enough to make the pin bind so it doesn't come off easily) after we loaded it up by cranking in our backstay? Hmmm. Who went to a different loft for a new main and has been much happier since? Hmmm. The big boys will be happy to sell you one of their off-the-shelf sails. They will be similar and will have similar costs, because they are a standard item. A smaller local loft is more likely to work at creating you a custom sail for the conditions and type of sailing you plan to do with it. They'll discuss whether you need or want a lot of roach, to add sail area in light-air sections like Long Island Sound. They'll find out how you reef your sail, and offer you one or more reef points. They'll ask whether you furl your sail on the boom or unbend it after each weekend race, and suggest different cloths accordingly. How you use your boat may determine how many battens you have and how long they are. All these factors come together to make for a happier result for you. This is not to say a sailmaker at a big loft can't ask these same questions and take care of you the same way. But have they, so far? If you shop based solely on price, you may end up with sails from Hong Kong. They certainly won't care much about a customer thousands of miles away from them. A local loft (and there are plenty in the tri-state area - do a google or yellow pages search) depends upon customers like you for their livelyhood. If they (and their sails) don't perform, they're out of business. Who do you think will do the best job for you? That is the outfit you should go with.
Another vote for Kappa Sails
Clarke Bassett at Kappa Sails is great to work with. He has been taking care of our sails for 8 years with no problems.
Clarke Bassett at Kappa Sails is great to work with. He has been taking care of our sails for 8 years with no problems.
I agree with r.w.
The folks from Doyle I contacted from this website were most helpful. Good sail, fit perfectly (they send you a measuring form), and delivered promptly (right after Hurricane Isabel).
The folks from Doyle I contacted from this website were most helpful. Good sail, fit perfectly (they send you a measuring form), and delivered promptly (right after Hurricane Isabel).
Sails
I ordered a new main for my Hunter 28.5 two years ago. Boat was on the hard 100 miles from the Annapolis North Sails loft. They sent a guy up there to measure and make sure it would fit under my bimini. Sail was delivered on time and fit nicely. Price was mid-way between the offshore lofts and the local "big name" makers. I would definitely use North again. I liked their "can do" attitude and the fact that they stand by their products after the sale.
I ordered a new main for my Hunter 28.5 two years ago. Boat was on the hard 100 miles from the Annapolis North Sails loft. They sent a guy up there to measure and make sure it would fit under my bimini. Sail was delivered on time and fit nicely. Price was mid-way between the offshore lofts and the local "big name" makers. I would definitely use North again. I liked their "can do" attitude and the fact that they stand by their products after the sale.
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