Well, I'm buying new sails for my 40' Legend and need some advice. (1) Sailmaker: I am considering UK, North and some of the smaller lofts in the Miami area. Any recomendations? Also any opinions about sailcloth? (2) Genoa: 150% 135% or something in between. Not much wind here in the summer but it sometimes blows a bit in the winter. I'm looking for one sail to handle most of what I'll run into. I know a selection of headsails is the way to go, but for now, I'm looking for just one new headsail. (3) Main: Loose footed? Dutchman? Lazyjacks? Jacklines? #of reef points? other sugestions? Also, any sugestions about clew, tack and head patches? and opinions about grommets as opposed to sewn in rings? Thanks
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Buck Harrison
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Ron Barrow
Ask the Sailmaker
Your sailmaker will answer most of those questions as you discuss the type of sailing that you do, and the wind conditions in which you sail. You are asking the great questions, but most of them can't be answered without more information from you. I have had good experiences with both of the sailmakers that you mentioned. But, I think a real key to having success is having a thorough discussion with the manufacturer's sales rep. about how you use your boat today and how you will use it in the near future. As they make suggestions, you must consider what is important to your situation. The trade offs are often performance vs durability vs (lots of) $$$. Smooth Sailing, Ron
Your sailmaker will answer most of those questions as you discuss the type of sailing that you do, and the wind conditions in which you sail. You are asking the great questions, but most of them can't be answered without more information from you. I have had good experiences with both of the sailmakers that you mentioned. But, I think a real key to having success is having a thorough discussion with the manufacturer's sales rep. about how you use your boat today and how you will use it in the near future. As they make suggestions, you must consider what is important to your situation. The trade offs are often performance vs durability vs (lots of) $$$. Smooth Sailing, Ron
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Mickey Goodman
New Sails
I had just purchased a new Genoa for my Legend 37 from Sails and Sew On in Ozakie, KS. Their price was far below what UK sails quoted for the same sail. They made a Genoa, Main Sail Cover and Binical Cover for my boat. Their quality was top notched and they were very accomodating and, most importantly, delivered when they said they would. I was concerned about purchasing a sail through the internet but they came very highly recommended to me and I thought I would give them a try. I am very pleased with what I purchased and they were the best price I was able to find. I don't often recommend a vendor to others but this is the exception. Give them a call at 785-876-3032 ask for Brian, he is the owner, and mention my referal. I am sure you will be well treated.
I had just purchased a new Genoa for my Legend 37 from Sails and Sew On in Ozakie, KS. Their price was far below what UK sails quoted for the same sail. They made a Genoa, Main Sail Cover and Binical Cover for my boat. Their quality was top notched and they were very accomodating and, most importantly, delivered when they said they would. I was concerned about purchasing a sail through the internet but they came very highly recommended to me and I thought I would give them a try. I am very pleased with what I purchased and they were the best price I was able to find. I don't often recommend a vendor to others but this is the exception. Give them a call at 785-876-3032 ask for Brian, he is the owner, and mention my referal. I am sure you will be well treated.
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Stephen Vosko
Over the last 12 months I have replaced both my Genoa and main. Both were done by the loft that now represents North Sails in Houston. Jay Lutz recommended a high aspect main that easily gives me a 1/2 to 1 knot speed improvement and much better shape in any number wind conditions. I had a 150 genoa and replaced with the same size but with the way they made the sail it can easily be brought down to 120 or even 110 without a great loss of pointing performance, some loss is inevitabe due to roller furling. Overall when I used to have to work like the Dickens to get to 7.2, I now see in excess of 7.4 with ease. Also the main is much lighter and that means less effort to move it up the 60 odd feet it has to go. Additionally Jay recommended the stow away type of Lazyjacks. They make lowering the sail into a flake a breeze and are completely out of the way against the mast when sailing; i.e. do not interfere with sail shape when under sail. It is a system that works well. E-mail me at svosko@buysellorhold.com if you would like to contact Jay directly. I am not sure how the franchises work with North.
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Bob Beck
Quality of Cloth
Last year we had a rep from North Sails at our Rally in SoCal. The one remark that stuck with me was when he said that all sail cloth was not created equal and that $'s can be reduced by using a sail cloth of reduced quality, even in the same loft. So as a previous response memtioned, get with your local Lofts(more than one), get some advice but in addition get an apples to apples quote on the type of cloth they will be using.
Last year we had a rep from North Sails at our Rally in SoCal. The one remark that stuck with me was when he said that all sail cloth was not created equal and that $'s can be reduced by using a sail cloth of reduced quality, even in the same loft. So as a previous response memtioned, get with your local Lofts(more than one), get some advice but in addition get an apples to apples quote on the type of cloth they will be using.
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Henry Lopez
Hunter Legend 40 Sails
I've recently purchased new #1 (155%), #2 (140%) and a full-battened main for my 1984 Hunter Legend 40. The question you should ask yourself is, what do I plan to do with my boat? Are you pretty much a day-sailing cruiser, distance cruiser, or are you going to do some club racing. And if you do, how competitive do you want to be. My first investment was to get rid of the Hood Seafurl 915 LP (continuous line), and replaced it with the Hood SeaFurl 5 (Model 325 3/8). I have the deep keel model (6'6") and the tall stick. The 3DL priced out of this world North Sail was not realistic for the club racing at the level that I wanted to compete. The North 3DL while a cutting edge sail, is like giving a scapel to a lumberjack. Meaning, most racers won't sail to the level that it is intended. So I stayed within my budget and went with the local loft -North's 4.7 oz. PremDac (695 sq. ft) 155% Nordac RAce AP #1. The max apparent wind speed is about 20 knots. It came with the sail numbers, telltale windows, 3 trim-stripes, crosscut layout, high modulus leechline and footline, spreader patches, "steering" telltales, 3 draft stripes and a zippered turtle bag. It cost me about $ 3,000. You can get a more economical sail (without the little "blue logo" for several hundred dollars less at several lofts in the northern gulf states. My main was a North 8.8oz with full length battens Dacron sail. That was in the neighborhood of $ 2,800. I have one reefing point in this sail. I have a flattening reef also. My #2, North 140% 8.0oz Seatec (Dimension) with crosscut paneling was the typical North Sail construction with bigger patches and to the North Standard. There is so much confusion with sails. The sailmakers relish in it. They are like tire salesmen. Their must've been about 25-30 different sails for each of the above in the North product offering. If you contact me, I'll give you some alternative lofts that you might consider. My sailmaker is of the opinion that a 140% is a perfect sail for my boat. I use a "poorman's" lazyjack that I use only when the main is to be lowered, then removed to a cleat on the shroud line. My North Sails I believe to be constructed a little bit better than other. It may just be between my ears. But the sailmaker is local (most important!!!), in case the cut isn't right. By the way, I've been kicking butt with this tired old lady.
I've recently purchased new #1 (155%), #2 (140%) and a full-battened main for my 1984 Hunter Legend 40. The question you should ask yourself is, what do I plan to do with my boat? Are you pretty much a day-sailing cruiser, distance cruiser, or are you going to do some club racing. And if you do, how competitive do you want to be. My first investment was to get rid of the Hood Seafurl 915 LP (continuous line), and replaced it with the Hood SeaFurl 5 (Model 325 3/8). I have the deep keel model (6'6") and the tall stick. The 3DL priced out of this world North Sail was not realistic for the club racing at the level that I wanted to compete. The North 3DL while a cutting edge sail, is like giving a scapel to a lumberjack. Meaning, most racers won't sail to the level that it is intended. So I stayed within my budget and went with the local loft -North's 4.7 oz. PremDac (695 sq. ft) 155% Nordac RAce AP #1. The max apparent wind speed is about 20 knots. It came with the sail numbers, telltale windows, 3 trim-stripes, crosscut layout, high modulus leechline and footline, spreader patches, "steering" telltales, 3 draft stripes and a zippered turtle bag. It cost me about $ 3,000. You can get a more economical sail (without the little "blue logo" for several hundred dollars less at several lofts in the northern gulf states. My main was a North 8.8oz with full length battens Dacron sail. That was in the neighborhood of $ 2,800. I have one reefing point in this sail. I have a flattening reef also. My #2, North 140% 8.0oz Seatec (Dimension) with crosscut paneling was the typical North Sail construction with bigger patches and to the North Standard. There is so much confusion with sails. The sailmakers relish in it. They are like tire salesmen. Their must've been about 25-30 different sails for each of the above in the North product offering. If you contact me, I'll give you some alternative lofts that you might consider. My sailmaker is of the opinion that a 140% is a perfect sail for my boat. I use a "poorman's" lazyjack that I use only when the main is to be lowered, then removed to a cleat on the shroud line. My North Sails I believe to be constructed a little bit better than other. It may just be between my ears. But the sailmaker is local (most important!!!), in case the cut isn't right. By the way, I've been kicking butt with this tired old lady.
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Gustavo Coll
Head sail size
Hi. I own a hunter legend 40.5 1994 and I am about to order mylar/kevlar to race. My keel is a winged one, and I have a fractional rig. I do not know the configuration of your hunter but I am very interested in knowing the boat's reaction to your 155% genoa ... you say its limit is 20kntos. I was thiniking in ordering a 135% and I see your sailmaker recomends a 140%. Does your boat heels a lot with such a genoa ?. I am very interested in your experience with both genoas 155% & 140%. Thank you, Gustavo Coll
Hi. I own a hunter legend 40.5 1994 and I am about to order mylar/kevlar to race. My keel is a winged one, and I have a fractional rig. I do not know the configuration of your hunter but I am very interested in knowing the boat's reaction to your 155% genoa ... you say its limit is 20kntos. I was thiniking in ordering a 135% and I see your sailmaker recomends a 140%. Does your boat heels a lot with such a genoa ?. I am very interested in your experience with both genoas 155% & 140%. Thank you, Gustavo Coll
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